Development and validation of machine learning models and nomograms for predicting the surgical difficulty of laparoscopic resection in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) prediction model for the assessment of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME) surgery difficulty, as well as to identify independent risk factors that influence surgical difficulty. Establishing a nomogram aims to assist clinical practitioners in formulating more effective surgical plans before the procedure.

METHODS

This study included 186 patients with rectal cancer who underwent LaTME from January 2018 to December 2020. They were divided into a training cohort (n = 131) versus a validation cohort (n = 55). The difficulty of LaTME was defined based on Escal's et al. scoring criteria with modifications. We utilized Lasso regression to screen the preoperative clinical characteristic variables and intraoperative information most relevant to surgical difficulty for the development and validation of four ML models: logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and decision tree (DT). The performance of the model was assessed based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Logistic regression-based column-line plots were created to visualize the predictive model. Consistency statistics (C-statistic) and calibration curves were used to discriminate and calibrate the nomogram, respectively.

RESULTS

In the validation cohort, all four ML models demonstrate good performance: SVM AUC = 0.987, RF AUC = 0.953, LR AUC = 0.950, and DT AUC = 0.904. To enhance visual evaluation, a logistic regression-based nomogram has been established. Predictive factors included in the nomogram are body mass index (BMI), distance between the tumor to the dentate line ≤ 10 cm, radiodensity of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), area of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), tumor diameter >3 cm, and comorbid hypertension.

CONCLUSION

In this study, four ML models based on intraoperative and preoperative risk factors and a nomogram based on logistic regression may be of help to surgeons in evaluating the surgical difficulty before operation and adopting appropriate responses and surgical protocols.

Dynamics of magnetization at infinite temperature in a Heisenberg spin chain

Understanding universal aspects of quantum dynamics is an unresolved problem in statistical mechanics. In particular, the spin dynamics of the one-dimensional Heisenberg model were conjectured as to belong to the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) universality class based on the scaling of the infinite-temperature spin-spin correlation function. In a chain of 46 superconducting qubits, we studied the probability distribution of the magnetization transferred across the chain's center, [Formula: see text]. The first two moments of [Formula: see text] show superdiffusive behavior, a hallmark of KPZ universality. However, the third and fourth moments ruled out the KPZ conjecture and allow for evaluating other theories. Our results highlight the importance of studying higher moments in determining dynamic universality classes and provide insights into universal behavior in quantum systems.

Tumor microenvironment reprogramming combined with immunogenic enhancement by nanoemulsions potentiates immunotherapy

The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers has become a promising strategy for the treatment of various cancers. However, its efficacy remains unmet because of the dense stroma and defective vasculatures in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that restricts the intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Herein, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-targeted nanoemulsions are tailored to combine the ICD induction and the TME reprogramming to sensitize checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Melittin, as an ICD inducer and an antifibrotic agent, is efficiently encapsulated into the nanoemulsion accompanied by a nitric oxide donor to improve its bioavailability and tumor targeting. The nanoemulsions exhibited dual functionality by directly inducing direct cancer cell death and enhancing the tumoral immunogenicity, while also synergistically reprogramming the TME through reversing the activated CAFs, decreasing collagen deposition and restoring tumor vessels. Consequently, these nanemulsions successfully facilitated the CTLs infiltration and suppressing the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells. A combination of AE-MGNPs and anti-CTLA-4 antibody greatly elicited a striking level of antitumor T-cell response to suppress tumor growth in CAFs-rich colorectal tumor models. Our work emphasized the integration of the ICD induction with simultaneous modulation of the TME to enhance the sensitivity of patients to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.

Activation of M2 macrophage autophagy by rapamycin increases the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer xenografts

BACKGROUND

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are intimately involved in cancer radiochemotherapy resistance. However, the mechanism by which macrophages affect radiosensitivity through autophagy remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate how activating autophagy in type-II macrophages (M2) by using rapamycin (RAP) would affect the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nude mouse CRC model was established by injecting LoVo CRC cells. After tumor formation, supernatant from M2 cells (autophagy-unactivated), autophagy-activated M2 cells, or autophagy-downregulated M2 cells was injected peritumorally. All tumor-bearing mice were irradiated with 8-Gy X-rays twice, and the radiosensitivity of CRC xenografts was analyzed in each group.

RESULTS

The mass, volume, and microvessel density (MVD) of tumors in the autophagy-unactivated M2 group significantly increased; however, supernatant from M2 cells that were autophagy-activated by rapamycin significantly decreased tumor weight, volume, and MVD compared with negative control. Combining bafilomycin A1 (BAF-A1) with RAP treatment restored the ability of the M2 supernatant to increase tumor mass, volume, and MVD. Immunohistochemical and Western blot results showed that compared with the negative control group, supernatant from M2 cells that were not activated by autophagy downregulated the expression of Livin and Survivin in tumor tissues; activation of M2 autophagy further downregulated the protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, autophagy-activated M2 supernatant can downregulate the expression of the antiapoptotic genes Livin and Survivin in CRC xenografts, improving the radiosensitivity of CRC by inducing apoptosis in combination with radiotherapy and inhibiting the growth of transplanted tumors.

Stable quantum-correlated many-body states through engineered dissipation

Engineered dissipative reservoirs have the potential to steer many-body quantum systems toward correlated steady states useful for quantum simulation of high-temperature superconductivity or quantum magnetism. Using up to 49 superconducting qubits, we prepared low-energy states of the transverse-field Ising model through coupling to dissipative auxiliary qubits. In one dimension, we observed long-range quantum correlations and a ground-state fidelity of 0.86 for 18 qubits at the critical point. In two dimensions, we found mutual information that extends beyond nearest neighbors. Lastly, by coupling the system to auxiliaries emulating reservoirs with different chemical potentials, we explored transport in the quantum Heisenberg model. Our results establish engineered dissipation as a scalable alternative to unitary evolution for preparing entangled many-body states on noisy quantum processors.

DNMT1-mediated NR3C1 DNA methylation enables transcription activation of connexin40 and augments angiogenesis during colorectal cancer progression

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related mortality. Connexin 40 (CX40) is one of the major gap junction proteins with the capacity in regulating cell-to-cell communication and angiogenesis. This study investigates its role in angiogenesis in CRC and explores the regulatory mechanism. Aberrant high CX40 expression was detected in tumor tissues, which was associated with a poor prognosis in CRC patients. Elevated CX40 expression was detected in CRC cell lines as well. Conditioned medium of SW620 and HT29 cell lines was used to induce angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). CX40 knockdown in CRC cells reduced angiogenesis and mobility of HUVECs and blocked CRC cell proliferation, mobility, and survival. Following bioinformatics predictions, we validated by chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays that nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1), which was poorly expressed in CRC samples, suppressed CX40 transcription. The poor NR3C1 expression was attributive to DNA hypermethylation induced by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Restoration of NR3C1 suppressed the pro-angiogenic effect, proliferation and survival, and tumorigenic activity of CRC cells, which were, however, rescued by CX40 upregulation. Collectively, this study demonstrates that transcription activation of CX40 upon DNMT1-mediated NR3C1 DNA methylation potentiates angiogenesis in CRC.

CircFNTA promotes tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer via miR-604/miR-647/SCN8A axis

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths and is characterized by high heterogeneity in epidemiology and histopathology worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play multifaceted roles in cellular processes in human cancers. Here, we demonstrated that circFNTA high expression increases the proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and tumorigenicity of GC cells. First, we found that circFNTA was upregulated in GC cells and tissues, and the high circFNTA levels were positively associated with the poor prognosis in GC patients. Using luciferase reporter and RNA-pull down assays, we elucidated that circFNTA sponged two microRNAs, miR-604 and miR-647. In addition, the proliferation and metastatic ability of GC cell reduction caused by silencing circFNTA was hindered by inhibitors of miR-604 and miR-647. Moreover, SCN8A was predicted by miRDB as a common target gene of miR-604 and miR-647, which was then verified by the luciferase reporter assay. Knockdown of circFNTA causes messenger RNA and protein levels in SCN8A to be downregulated in GC cells. However, this effect was overturned by cotransfection miR-604 and miR-647. Also, we identified that SCN8A was downregulated in GC tissues, which was positively correlated with circFNTA expression. In rescue experiments, the attenuated cell proliferation and metastatic ability caused by circFNTA knockdown was reversed by miR-604 and miR-647 inhibitors and SCN8A overexpression. Collectively, our findings suggest an oncogenic role of circFNTA in GC progression and elucidate that circFNTA exerts its function by modulating the miR-604/miR-647/SCN8A axis.

Novel Method for Detection of PIK3CA Mutations in Circulating Tumor DNA of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

The PIK3CA mutation is considered a potential target for treatment of colorectal cancer. We evaluated a PIK3CA mutation assay on plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using a newly developed PCR with restriction digestion integrated and followed by Sanger's sequencing. We analyzed PIK3CA mutation in plasma with our newly developed assays and in matching tumor tissues by routine methods. We detected the PIK3CA gene mutation status by both methods in samples from 40 colorectal cancer patients. Three H1047R mutations of PIK3CA gene were detected in the cfDNA of the 40 patients by restriction digestion PCR. Neither E545K nor H1047R mutations were detected in the cfDNA by routine PCR/sequencing. The PIK3CA H1047R and E545K mutations in cfDNA can be sensitively detected with our newly developed assays. The colorectal cancer has been used as a clinical example in testing our new assays, which indicates that the new assays may have wider applications in detecting mutations in precision oncology. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR-DDT-12002848, 8 October 2012.

Measurement-induced entanglement and teleportation on a noisy quantum processor

Measurement has a special role in quantum theory1: by collapsing the wavefunction, it can enable phenomena such as teleportation2 and thereby alter the 'arrow of time' that constrains unitary evolution. When integrated in many-body dynamics, measurements can lead to emergent patterns of quantum information in space-time3-10 that go beyond the established paradigms for characterizing phases, either in or out of equilibrium11-13. For present-day noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) processors14, the experimental realization of such physics can be problematic because of hardware limitations and the stochastic nature of quantum measurement. Here we address these experimental challenges and study measurement-induced quantum information phases on up to 70 superconducting qubits. By leveraging the interchangeability of space and time, we use a duality mapping9,15-17 to avoid mid-circuit measurement and access different manifestations of the underlying phases, from entanglement scaling3,4 to measurement-induced teleportation18. We obtain finite-sized signatures of a phase transition with a decoding protocol that correlates the experimental measurement with classical simulation data. The phases display remarkably different sensitivity to noise, and we use this disparity to turn an inherent hardware limitation into a useful diagnostic. Our work demonstrates an approach to realizing measurement-induced physics at scales that are at the limits of current NISQ processors.

Tumor Cell-Intrinsic PD-L1 Effects on Radiation-Induced Locoregional Antitumor Immunity

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Targeting PD-L1 is a beneficial strategy to reinvigorate antitumor immunity, however variable response and resistance are challenging and suggest the need for multimodality approaches. Tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signals also regulate non-canonical pathogenic pathways that may impact treatment resistance. Ionizing radiation (IR) can induce antitumor immunity and has demonstrated therapeutic synergy with immunotherapy in some cases, however tumor-driven immunologic mechanisms affecting clinical outcomes remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signals on IR-induced locoregional immune response and tumor control.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We used orthotopic B16-F10 melanoma (WT-B16) and 4T1 triple negative breast cancer (WT-4T1) murine tumor models, as well as PD-L1 disabled variants (KO) generated by CRISPR/Cas9, implanted bilaterally. IR (10 Gy) was targeted at one tumor alone to evaluate both direct and indirect IR effects based on tumor PD-L1 status. We evaluated response by tumor volume (TV) measurements, flow cytometry of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) in both irradiated and unirradiated compartments, and granzyme B (GZB) PET imaging to assess functional in vivo changes. Chemokine-based multiplex assays were used to assess cell lines receiving IR (4Gy) and ex vivo tumor lysates and serum.

RESULTS

IR-induced local tumor control was not significantly affected based on tumor PD-L1 status, however deactivation of tumor cell PD-L1 enhanced IR-induced regional tumor control. Unirradiated WT tumors in mice harboring irradiated KO but not irradiated WT tumors demonstrated a significant mean reduction in TV with instances of complete distant tumor regression. PET imaging demonstrated a nearly 2-fold higher concentration of GZB in KO versus WT tumors, in line with known locally immunosuppressive effects of tumor PD-L1. Remarkably, GZB levels were >1.5-fold higher in unirradiated WT tumors in mice harboring an irradiated KO versus WT tumor, which correlated with a 50% increase in PD-1+CD8+ T cells. Higher levels of CD62+CD44- naïve CD4+ (4-fold) and CD8+ (2-fold) memory T cells were seen in TDLNs of irradiated KO versus WT tumors. Cytokine levels positively correlated with immune recruitment and activation status, as CXCL10, CCL2 and CCL5 were significantly upregulated in PD-L1 KO versus WT tumors cells.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study demonstrate cell-intrinsic PD-L1 inhibits IR-induced locoregional immune activation and frequency of regional tumor control, with clinical implications including therapeutic targeting of tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signals to enhance IR-induced immunogenicity, utility of IR based on tumor PD-L1 status particularly in the metastatic setting, and immunotherapy combinations. Future studies investigating mechanisms of resistance to IR-induced immune activation to enhance responsiveness are warranted.

METTL3 regulates N6-methyladenosine modification of ANGPTL3 mRNA and potentiates malignant progression of stomach adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is associated with mammalian mRNA biogenesis, decay, translation and metabolism, and also contributes greatly to gastrointestinal tumor formation and development. Therefore, the specific mechanisms and signaling pathways mediated by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), which catalyzes the formation of m6A chemical labeling in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), are still worth exploring.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was constructed to detect the expression of METTL3 in gastric cancer cell lines and patient tissues. The biological function of METTL3 was investigated in vitro/in vivo by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay, Transwell assay and nude mouse tumorigenesis assay. Based on the LinkedOmics database, the genes co-expressed with METTL3 in the TCGA STAD cohort were analyzed to clarify the downstream targets of METTL3. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (MeRIP-qPCR) and RNA stability analysis were employed to explore the mechanism of METTL3 in gastric cancer progression.

RESULTS

We analyzed TCGA data and found that METTL3 was frequently elevated in STAD, and demonstrated that METTL3 was present at high levels in clinical STAD tissues and cells. High METTL3 expression was more likely to have advanced TNM tumors and distant metastasis. On the other hand, METTL3 silencing effectively impeded the higher oncogenic capacity of AGS and HGC27 cells in vivo and in vitro, as reflected by slowed cell growth and diminished migration and invasion capacities. Continued mining of the TCGA dataset identified the co-expression of angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) and METTL3 in STAD. Lower level of ANGPTL3 was related to increased level of METTL3 in STAD samples and shorter survival times in STAD patients. ANGPTL3 enrichment limited the growth and metastasis of STAD cells. Besides, ANGPTL3 mRNA levels could be decreased by METTL3-dominated m6A modifications, a result derived from a combination of MeRIP-qPCR and RNA half-life experiments. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of METTL3 silencing on cancer could be reversed to some extent by ANGPTL3 inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our findings suggested that METTL3 functioned an oncogenic role in STAD by reducing ANGPTL3 expression in an m6A-dependent manner. The discovery of the METTL3-ANGPTL3 axis and its effect on STAD tumor growth will contribute to further studies on the mechanisms of gastric adenocarcinoma development.

Non-Abelian braiding of graph vertices in a superconducting processor

Indistinguishability of particles is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics¹. For all elementary and quasiparticles observed to date-including fermions, bosons and Abelian anyons-this principle guarantees that the braiding of identical particles leaves the system unchanged^2,3. However, in two spatial dimensions, an intriguing possibility exists: braiding of non-Abelian anyons causes rotations in a space of topologically degenerate wavefunctions^4-8. Hence, it can change the observables of the system without violating the principle of indistinguishability. Despite the well-developed mathematical description of non-Abelian anyons and numerous theoretical proposals^9-22, the experimental observation of their exchange statistics has remained elusive for decades. Controllable many-body quantum states generated on quantum processors offer another path for exploring these fundamental phenomena. Whereas efforts on conventional solid-state platforms typically involve Hamiltonian dynamics of quasiparticles, superconducting quantum processors allow for directly manipulating the many-body wavefunction by means of unitary gates. Building on predictions that stabilizer codes can host projective non-Abelian Ising anyons^9,10, we implement a generalized stabilizer code and unitary protocol²³ to create and braid them. This allows us to experimentally verify the fusion rules of the anyons and braid them to realize their statistics. We then study the prospect of using the anyons for quantum computation and use braiding to create an entangled state of anyons encoding three logical qubits. Our work provides new insights about non-Abelian braiding and, through the future inclusion of error correction to achieve topological protection, could open a path towards fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF): a case-series study

BACKGROUND

There is no standard reconstruction method following proximal gastrectomy, of which gastroesophageal reflux and anastomotic complications are of great concern. Though several techniques have been devised to overcome these postoperative complications, such as double tract reconstruction, double-flap technique and side overlap fundoplication by Yamashita, none of them is considered a perfect solution. Herein, we designed a novel method of esophagogastrostomy after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG), named right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF).

METHODS

Between March 2021 and December 2021, 20 consecutive patients underwent LPG-ROSF at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were recorded. All patients were followed-up until December 2022. Endoscopy and assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms were performed 1 year after surgery. Nutrition-related parameters including total body weight, hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, serum total protein, serum albumin and serum prealbumin were evaluated 1 year after surgery and compared with those before surgery.

RESULTS

The mean surgery time and anastomosis time was 285.3 ± 71.3 and 61.3 ± 11.2 min respectively. None of the patients had gastrointestinal early postoperative complications. Symptomatic reflux was observed in one patient (5%) while reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles Grade A) was observed in another patient (5%). Four patients (20%) had mild dysphagia (Visick score = II) but none of them had anastomotic stenosis. There were no significant changes in nutritional status postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

ROSF can be safely performed after LPG and has satisfactory outcomes in preventing reflux and stenosis, and maintaining nutritional status. This technique requires further validation.

Ultra-high-resolution observations of persistent null-point reconnection in the solar corona

Magnetic reconnection is a key mechanism involved in solar eruptions and is also a prime possibility to heat the low corona to millions of degrees. Here, we present ultra-high-resolution extreme ultraviolet observations of persistent null-point reconnection in the corona at a scale of about 390 km over one hour observations of the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imager on board Solar Orbiter spacecraft. The observations show formation of a null-point configuration above a minor positive polarity embedded within a region of dominant negative polarity near a sunspot. The gentle phase of the persistent null-point reconnection is evidenced by sustained point-like high-temperature plasma (about 10 MK) near the null-point and constant outflow blobs not only along the outer spine but also along the fan surface. The blobs appear at a higher frequency than previously observed with an average velocity of about 80 km s^-1 and life-times of about 40 s. The null-point reconnection also occurs explosively but only for 4 minutes, its coupling with a mini-filament eruption generates a spiral jet. These results suggest that magnetic reconnection, at previously unresolved scales, proceeds continually in a gentle and/or explosive way to persistently transfer mass and energy to the overlying corona.

FOXC2-induced circCASK aggravates colorectal cancer progression by upregulating SIX1 expression

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the most common gastrointestinal solid carcinoma globally. Substantial evidence has established a pivotal role for circular RNAs (circRNAs) in CRC progression. In this study, differentially expressed circRNAs were analyzed based on a public dataset (GSE126094) and elevated expression of circCASK (hsa_circ_0001917) was validated in CRC. Moreover, increased circCASK was also confirmed in CRC patients. Functionally, circCASK knockdown led to a significant decrease in CRC cell growth and attenuated cell migration and invasion. Similarly, circCASK knockdown markedly attenuated tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circCASK sponged miR-1271-5p and enhanced sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) expression. More importantly, both SIX1 overexpression and miR-1271-5p knockdown could reverse the cellular behavior inhibition induced by circCASK knockdown. Furthermore, SIX1 was most strongly and positively linked with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, circCASK triggered Wnt/β-catenin signaling through the miR-1271-5p/SIX1 axis, and FOXC2 transcriptionally induced circCASK expression. In conclusion, circCASK induced by FOXC2 accelerated CRC progression through the miR-1271-5p/SIX1 axis, thus providing an interesting insight into CRC tumorigenesis.

Cancer-associated fibroblast-targeted nanodrugs reshape colorectal tumor microenvironments to suppress tumor proliferation, metastasis and improve drug penetration

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) produce a critical tumor-promoting effect by cellular crosstalk with cancer cells and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) to form a protective physical barrier. The simple elimination of CAFs is not sufficient to govern the CAF-shaped aggressive tumor microenvironment (TME) because of the complexity of tumors. Herein, a CAF-targeted poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoemulsion is tailored to simultaneously deliver doxorubicin (DOX) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for the combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy. The nanoemulsion (apt-Si/DNPs) shows a high specificity towards CAFs due to the aptamer modification and efficiently induces the apoptosis of CAFs, thus decreasing ECM deposition in the TME. Importantly, the delivered siRNA reduces the expression of the HGF in the remaining CAFs, which overcomes chemotherapy-induced upregulation of HGF mRNA and prevents the reproduction of CAFs through the autocrine HGF closed-loop. Owing to these synergetic effects, tumor proliferation, migration and invasion are prominently inhibited and tumor permeability is improved significantly. Overall, these results emphasize the potential of CAF-targeted combination treatments to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis, as well as overcome therapeutic resistance.

GOLM1 facilitates human colorectal cancer progression and metastasis via activating the AKT/GSK3β/EMT axis

GOLM1 (Golgi membrane protein 1), a key tumor progression- and metastasis-related marker, is highly expressed in a variety of epithelium-derived human cancers. However, its expression and functions in human colorectal cancer (CRC) have been rarely explored. The present study verified the high expression of GOLM1 within CRC tissues and cell lines. GOLM1 was positively correlated with vascular invasion, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis among CRC cases. In vitro experiments showed that GOLM1 downregulation inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of Caco-2 and HCT116 cells, while the overexpression of GOLM1 facilitated the growth, migration, and invasion of SW480 cells. In vivo experiments revealed that the knockdown of GOLM1 reduced the growth of nude mouse xenografts and lung metastasis of HCT116 cells. Furthermore, GOLM1 was found to be a motivator for the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and the AKT/GSK3β pathway in CRC cells. Finally, MK2206, an AKT inhibitor, could markedly reverse GOLM1-elicited proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT phenotype by inhibiting the AKT/GSK3β pathway. Collectively, our data indicate that GOLM1 facilitates human CRC progression and metastasis via activating the AKT/GSK3β/EMT axis. Most importantly, our study makes substantial support for the clinical translation of GOLM1 in CRC target therapy.

Multi-omics Analysis of the Role of PHGDH in Colon Cancer

Objectives: Serine metabolism is essential for tumor cells. Endogenous serine arises from de novo synthesis pathways. As the rate-limiting enzyme of this pathway, PHGDH is highly expressed in a variety of tumors including colon cancer. Therefore, targeted inhibition of PHGDH is an important strategy for anti-tumor therapy research. However, the specific gene expression and metabolic pathways regulated by PHGDH in colon cancer are still unclear. Our study was aimed to clarified the role of PHGDH in serine metabolism in colon cancer to provide new knowledge for in-depth understanding of serine metabolism and PHGDH function in colon cancer. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the gene expression and metabolic remodeling process of colon cancer cells (SW620) after targeted inhibition of PHGDH by gene transcriptomics and metabolomics. LC-MS analysis was performed in 293T cells to PHGDH gene transcription and protein post-translational modification under depriving exogenous serine. Results: We found that amino acid transporters, amino acid metabolism, lipid synthesis related pathways compensation and other processes are involved in the response process after PHGDH inhibition. And ATF4 mediated the transcriptional expression of PHGDH under exogenous serine deficiency conditions. While LC-MS analysis of post-translational modification revealed that PHGDH produced changes in acetylation sites after serine deprivation that the K289 site was lost, and a new acetylation site K21was produced. Conclusion: Our study performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis by inhibiting PHGDH, thus clarifying the role of PHGDH in gene transcription and metabolism in colon cancer cells. The mechanism of high PHGDH expression in colon cancer cells and the acetylation modification that occurs in PHGDH protein were also clarified by serine deprivation. In our study, the role of PHGDH in serine metabolism in colon cancer was clarified by multi-omics analysis to provide new knowledge for in-depth understanding of serine metabolism and PHGDH function in colon cancer.

Contribution of microRNA-30d to the prevention of the thyroid cancer occurrence and progression: mechanism and implications

Thyroid cancer is a major endocrine tumor and represents an emerging health problem worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been addressed to participate in the pathogenesis and progression of thyroid cancer. However, it remains largely unknown what functions miR-30d may exert on thyroid cancer. This study, herein, aimed to identify the functional significance and machinery of miR-30d in the progression of thyroid cancer. MiR-30b presented aberrant low expression and ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) exhibited aberrant high expression in thyroid cancer tissues and cells. The current study proposed the possible machinery that miR-30d could target and negatively regulate USP22. Additionally, USP22 could enhance the stability of SIRT1 by inducing deubiquitination which consequently contributed to FOXO3a deacetylation-induced PUMA repression. Responding to the gain- or loss-of-function of miR-30d and/or USP22, behaviors of thyroid cancer cells were altered. Accordingly, miR-30d inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells by suppressing USP22 through SIRT1/FOXO3a/PUMA axis. The effects of miR-30d and USP22-mediated SIRT1/FOXO3a/PUMA axis on thyroid tumorigenesis were finally validated in murine models. We ultimately confirmed the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of miR-30d via suppressing USP22 through in vivo findings. Conclusively, our findings highlight that the occurrence and progression of thyroid cancer can be suppressed by miR-30d-mediated inhibition of USP22 via the SIRT1/FOXO3a/PUMA axis, which provides a attractive therapeutic target for thyroid cancer treatment.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of targeted and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis

The use of target agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment landscape for AGC in the first-line setting. However, the crosswise comparison between each regimen is rare. Therefore, we estimated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy or immunotherapy with chemotherapy in AGC patients as the first-line treatment. Included studies were divided into "average" or "specific positivity" group according to whether the patients were selected by a certain pathological expression. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all regimens in both groups. In average group, no regimen showed significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), while pembrolizumab and nivolumab combined with chemotherapy were ranked first and second respectively without an obvious safety difference. In specific positivity group, zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.79) and PFS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The top three regimens were zolbetuximab-chemotherapy, trastuzumab plus pertuzuma-chemotherapy and nivolumab-chemotherapy respectively, with no significant safety risk. For average patients, immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 plus chemotherapy will be the promising regimen. For patients with overexpression of CLDN18.2, zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy comes with greater survival benefits, while for patients who have PD-L1 expression with no HER-2 or CLDN18.2 positivity, additional immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 will be a good considered option.

Formation of robust bound states of interacting microwave photons

Systems of correlated particles appear in many fields of modern science and represent some of the most intractable computational problems in nature. The computational challenge in these systems arises when interactions become comparable to other energy scales, which makes the state of each particle depend on all other particles1. The lack of general solutions for the three-body problem and acceptable theory for strongly correlated electrons shows that our understanding of correlated systems fades when the particle number or the interaction strength increases. One of the hallmarks of interacting systems is the formation of multiparticle bound states2-9. Here we develop a high-fidelity parameterizable fSim gate and implement the periodic quantum circuit of the spin-½ XXZ model in a ring of 24 superconducting qubits. We study the propagation of these excitations and observe their bound nature for up to five photons. We devise a phase-sensitive method for constructing the few-body spectrum of the bound states and extract their pseudo-charge by introducing a synthetic flux. By introducing interactions between the ring and additional qubits, we observe an unexpected resilience of the bound states to integrability breaking. This finding goes against the idea that bound states in non-integrable systems are unstable when their energies overlap with the continuum spectrum. Our work provides experimental evidence for bound states of interacting photons and discovers their stability beyond the integrability limit.

Upregulation of Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 in Colorectal Cancer Promotes Radioresistance and Aggressive Malignance

BACKGROUND

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a conserved transcript with 8000 nt, is highly associated with malignancy of numerous cancer types. However, the function of MALAT1 plays in regulating the response to radiotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Thus, the object of this study is to investigate the functions of MALAT1 in CRC radioresistance.

METHODS

First, the expression of MALAT1 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) was analyzed through the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, we detected the expression level of MALAT1 in tumor tissues and CRC cell lines and analyzed the relevance of MALAT1 and clinicopathological parameters. In the end, the effect of silencing MALAT1 on the radiosensitivity of CRC cells was investigated, and its potential mechanism was preliminarily illustrated.

RESULTS

The analysis of TCGA data showed that MALAT1 was closely related to the type of tumor, and high expression of MALAT1 was remarkably relevant to poor outcome. MALAT1 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines and related to tumor stages. Knockdown of MALAT1 could significantly suppress colony survival, proliferation, and migration and increase apoptosis, G2/M phase arrest, and formation of gamma-H2AX foci in HCT116, whether in combination with X-rays or not. Moreover, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis demonstrated that the regulated proteins were principally enriched in the glycosaminoglycan degradation pathway after silencing MALAT1.

CONCLUSION

Our results implied that MALAT1 was highly expressed in CRC and associated with tumor stage and prognosis. Silencing MALAT1 can increase HCT116 cell radiosensitivity, which may be potentially influenced by glycosaminoglycan degradation pathway.

Low-dose ganciclovir ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis through inhibiting macrophage STING activation in mice

Ganciclovir (GCV) is a prodrug nucleoside analogue and is clinically used as antiviral drug for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other infections. Based on the potential anti-inflammatory activity of GCV, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of ganciclovir on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC), which may involve cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathways. Our results demonstrated that incubation of GCV (50 μM) inhibited cGAS-STING pathway in macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Then, it was found that intestinal cGAS-STING pathways were upregulated in UC patients, Crohn's disease colitis (CD) patients, and DSS-induced colitis mice. Intraperitoneal injection of low-dose GCV (10 mg/kg/day) attenuated DSS-induced colitis and abdominal pain in mice. GCV treatment significantly inhibited the upregulation of cGAS-STING pathway in DSS-induced colitis mice. Moreover, DSS-induced colitis and gut dysbiosis was markedly attenuated in STING deficient mice compared with that of wild-type (WT) mice. Finally, there was lacking therapeutic effect of GCV on DSS-induced colitis in STING deficient mice. Together, our results indicated that low-dose GCV ameliorated DSS-induced UC in mice, possibly through inhibiting STING signaling in colonic macrophages, indicating that GCV may be useful for the treatment of UC.

THUMPD3-AS1 facilitates cell growth and aggressiveness by the miR-218-5p/SKAP1 axis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant cancer with a high mortality. Accumulating studies have revealed that mRNAs involved in ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA) network are implicated in the tumorigenesis and development of CRC. Here, we aimed to elucidate the ceRNA network involving Src kinase associated phosphoprotein 1 (SKAP1) in the biological characteristics of CRC.

METHODS

Expression levels of genes in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) samples and prognosis of COAD patients were predicted using publicly available online tool. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), clony formation and Transwell assays were conducted to test the biological functions of SKAP1 and THUMPD3 antisense RNA 1 (THUMPD3-AS1) in CRC cells. Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of SKAP1. Gene expression in CRC cells was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The interaction between miR-218-5p and THUMPD3-AS1 (or SKAP1) was verified by RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS

SKAP1 was upregulated in COAD tissues and CRC cells and it reflected a poor prognosis in patients with COAD. SKAP1 knockdown inhibited CRC (HT-29 and HCT-116) cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, THUMPD3-AS1 acted as a ceRNA to sponge miR-218-5p and subsequently upregulated SKAP1 expression in CRC cells. SKAP1 overexpression reversed the suppressive effect of THUMPD3-AS1 knockdown on proliferation, migration and invision of CRC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

THUMPD3-AS1 promotes CRC cell growth and aggressiveness by regulating the miR-218-5p/SKAP1 axis.