ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and clinical significance of cytochromes b561 (CYB561) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsThe expression of CYB561 mRNA in HCC tissues and its relationship with prognosis were analyzed by database data. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of CYB561 protein in 61 matched HCC tissues and their adjacent tissues, and the relationship between CYB561 protein expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis of HCC was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve and Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the correlation between the expression of CYB561 protein and the prognosis of HCC. ResultsThe analysis of database data showed that the relative expression of CYB561 mRNA in HCC tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues (P<0.001). Compared with HCC patients with negative expression of CYB561 mRNA, HCC patients with positive expression of CYB561 mRNA had worse overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival, progression-free survival and disease-free survival (all P<0.05). The results of IHC showed that the positive rates of CYB561 protein in HCC tissues and adjacent tissues were 57.38% (35/61) and 21.31%(13/61), respectively. The former was higher than the latter, with statistical significance (χ2=16.624, P<0.001). Survival analysis showed that the OS of patients with positive expression of CYB561 protein was worse than that of patients with negative expression (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that the positive expression of CYB561 protein was a risk factor for postoperative OS in HCC patients [HR=3.308, 95%CI (1.344, 8.144), P=0.009]. ConclusionCYB561 is positively expressed in HCC and suggests a worse survival, and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of three-field versus two-field lymph node dissection on postoperative complications and survival outcomes in patients with clinically unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing conversion surgery. MethodsPatients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent conversion surgery at Sichuan Cancer Hospital between January 2018 and March 2020 were retrospectively included. Based on the extent of lymph node dissection, patients were divided into a three-field group and a two-field group. Postoperative complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between the two groups. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to identify prognostic factors. ResultsA total of 58 patients were included, consisting of 51 males and 7 females, with a median age of 61.50 (53.25, 65.00) years. The three-field group comprised 17 patients, and the two-field group comprised 41 patients. The results showed that three-field lymph node dissection did not increase the risk of complications. The OS and DFS in the three-field group tended to be better than those in the two-field group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.228, P=0.342). Cox regression analysis indicated that OS and DFS were not significantly correlated with the extent of lymph node dissection (P=0.234, P=0.347) but were associated with R0 resection status (P=0.027, P=0.069). ConclusionThree-field lymph node dissection demonstrates good safety and may provide survival benefits in specific patient subgroups. R0 resection is a key factor influencing surgical prognosis.
Objective To investigate the prognostic differences and decision-making role in postoperative radiotherapy of four molecular subtypes in pT1-2N1M0 stage breast cancer. Methods The clinicopathological data of 1526 patients with pT1-2N1M0 breast cancer treated at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. χ2 test was used to compare the clinicopathological features among patients with different molecular subtypes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to draw the survival curves and compare the overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) among patients with different molecular subtypes. Cox regression model was used to determine the influencing factors of OS of patients after radical mastectomy. Results Among the 1526 patients with pT1-2N1M0 breast cancer, there were 674 cases (44.2%) of Luminal A subtype, 530 cases (34.7%) of Luminal B subtype, 174 cases (11.4%) of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) overexpression subtype, and 148 cases (9.7%) of triple-negative subtype. The 5-year OS rates of Luminal A, Luminal B, Her-2 overexpression and triple negative patients were 98.6%, 94.3%, 95.5% and 91.2%, respectively (χ2=11.712, P=0.001), and the 5-year BCSS rates were 99.3%, 94.6%, 95.5% and 92.5%, respectively (χ2=18.547, P<0.001). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed that menstrual status [hazard ratio (HR)=0.483, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.253, 0.923), P=0.028] and whether endocrine therapy [HR=2.021, 95%CI (1.012, 4.034), P=0.046] were prognostic factors for the 5-year OS rate of breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy (P<0.05). However, it failed to reveal that Luminal subtypes and postoperative radiotherapy were prognostic factors for the 5-year OS rate (P>0.05). Conclusions In pT1-2N1M0 breast cancer patients, the 5-year OS rate and 5-year BCSS rate in triple-negative patients are the lowest. The relationship between Luminal classification, postoperative radiotherapy and survival in patients after radical mastectomy needs further study in the future.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic relevance of serum triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods A retrospective data collection was conducted on patients diagnosed with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis-associated ILD at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between February 2017 and July 2021. The clinical data, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations were collected, and the patients were followed up. According to the survival and death status of patients, they were divided into survival group and death group. According to TG levels, the patients were divided into a TG high level group and a TG low level group. We employed Cox proportional hazard models to investigate the variables linked to the mortality of individuals afflicted with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis-associated ILD. Results A total of 204 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis-associated ILD were included. Among them, whose age ranged from 30 to 81 years old, with an average of (49.5±11.8) years old, there were 69 males and 135 females, 53 deaths and 151 survivors, 57 cases of rapidly progressive pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (RPILD) and 47 cases of non-RPILD. The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that TG≥1.65 mmol/L, combined with RPILD, combined with dyspnea, age, lactate dehydrogenase≥321 U/L, and albumin<30 g/L were independent factors affecting the long-term prognosis of patients (P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier method analysis results showed that the survival rate of the TG high level group was lower than that of the TG low level group (P=0.032). Conclusions Elevated TG levels can serve as a clinical indicator of adverse prognosis in patients with dermatomyositis-associated ILD who exhibit positive anti-MDA5 antibody status. Additionally, age, comorbidity with RPILD, combined with dyspnea, lactate dehydrogenase≥321 U/L, and albumin<30 g/L are independent factors contributing to the increased mortality risk among individuals with dermatomyositis-associated ILD who test positive for anti-MDA5 antibody.
ObjectiveTo provide clinical reference for the perioperative management of esophageal cancer patients with different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through investigating the impact of COPD on postoperative complications and survival in esophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 163 patients who underwent radical resection of esophageal cancer in our department from January 2015 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 124 males and 39 females, with a median age of 64 years (IQR: 23.8 years). They were divided into a COPD group (n=87) and a non-COPD group (n=76) according to the presence of COPD before operation. The clinical data were collected and the postoperative complications and 2-year survival between the two groups were compared and analyzed.ResultsThe incidence of major postoperative complications (pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, arrhythmia and anastomotic leakage) in the COPD group were higher than those in the non-COPD group (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the severity of preoperative COPD was positively correlated with the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with esophageal cancer (r=0.437, P<0.001). The incidence of postoperative respiratory failure and mortality in patients with severe COPD were significantly higher than those in patients without COPD and those with mild or moderate COPD. The 2-year survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer in the COPD group was lower than that in the non-COPD group (56.1% vs. 78.5.%, P=0.001), and the severity of COPD was negatively correlated to the survival rate.ConclusionCOPD significantly increases the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with esophageal cancer, which is not conducive to the prognosis of patients, and the severity of COPD is correlated with postoperative complications and 2-year survival rate.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma after surgical resection.MethodsA retrospective study of patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma undergoing surgical resection from January 2009 to June 2015 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Fourth People's Hospital and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University was performed. Survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Cox regression model was used for identifying independent prognostic factors.ResultsA total of 53 patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma were included for analysis. The mean age was 58.4 ± 8.3 years and there were 42 male patients and 11 female patients. Forty-two patients were diagnosed as pure esophageal small cell carcinoma while 11 patients were diagnosed with mixed esophageal small cell carcinoma, who were all mixed with squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the esophageal small cell carcinomas were located in the middle (58.5%) and lower (32.1%) segments of the esophagus. Thirty patients (56.6%) were found to have lymph node metastasis, and 7 patients (13.2%) were found to have lymphovascular invasion. According to the 2009 TNM staging criteria for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, there were 12 patients with stage Ⅰ disease, 19 patients with stage Ⅱ disease, and 22 patients with stage Ⅲ disease. Most of the patients underwent left thoracotomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, only twenty-two patients (41.5%) received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The median survival time of these patients was 20.1 months, and the 1- and 3-year survival rate was 75.5% and 33.1%, respectively. For prognosis, age, gender, pathological type, tumor location, and lymphovascular invasion had no significant impact on long-term survival of these patients. However, TNM stage (1 year survival rate: stage Ⅰ: 91.7%; stage Ⅱ: 78.9%; stage Ⅲ: 63.6%; P=0.004) and postoperative adjuvant therapy (1 year survival rate: 81.8% vs. 71.0%; P=0.005) had significant impact on the survival of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma. In multivariate analysis, TNM stage and postoperative adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for long-term prognosis of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma.ConclusionEsophageal small cell carcinoma is very rare, with high malignancy and poor prognosis. For patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma, the TNM staging system of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma can be used to direct the choice of treatment options. For early stage esophageal small cell carcinoma (stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ), surgery plus postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be the prior therapeutic choice, while for locally advanced esophageal small cell carcinoma (stage Ⅲ), chemoradiotherapy should be the preferred treatment.
Survival data were widely used in oncology clinical trials. The methods used, such as the log-rank test and Cox regression model, should meet the assumption of proportional hazards. However, the survival data with non-proportional hazard (NPH) are also quite usual, which will decrease the power of these methods and conceal the true treatment effect. Therefore, during the trial design, we need to test the proportional hazard assumption and plan different analysis methods for different testing results. This paper introduces some methods that are widely used for proportional hazard testing, and summarizes the application condition, advantages and disadvantages of analysis methods for non-proportional hazard survival data. When the non-proportional hazard occurs, we need to choose the suitable method case by case and to be cautious in the interpretation of the results.
Objective To analyze the efficacy of breast-conserving surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy (BCS+RT) vs. mastectomy (MAST) for early breast cancer among young Chinese patients. Methods Young female breast cancer patients (≤40 years old) treated at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1st, 2008, and December 31st, 2019 were analyzed for clinical staging, molecular subtypes, surgical techniques, and prognostic assessments using follow-up data. Results Of 974 eligible patients in this study, 211 underwent BCS+RT and 763 underwent MAST. The Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated that there was no significant difference in the 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rate (99.1% vs. 99.4%, P=0.299), distant metastasis-free survival rate (97.9% vs. 96.4%, P=0.309), breast cancer-specific survival rate (100.0% vs. 97.0%, P=0.209), or overall survival rate (99.4% vs. 96.8%, P=0.342) between patients who underwent BCS+RT and those who underwent MAST. The multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analyses revealed that the treatment approach (BCS+RT or MAST) did not significantly predict locoregional recurrence-free survival (P=0.427), distant metastasis-free survival (P=0.154), breast cancer-specific survival (P=0.155), or overall survival (P=0.263). Subgroup analyses showed that there was no statistically significant difference in survival outcomes between BCS+RT and MAST in different clinical stages or molecular subtypes. Clinical stage and molecular subtype should also not be regarded as independent factors in deciding the treatment approach. Conclusions Receiving BCS+RT or MAST treatment does not affect the survival outcomes of young early-stage breast cancer patients, showing similar efficacy across various clinical stages and molecular subtypes. Choosing BCS+RT is considered safe for early-stage young female breast cancer patients eligible for breast conservation.
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and construct a nomogram survival prediction model.MethodsThe patients with MBC from 2010 to 2013 were collected from surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database, then were randomly divided into training group and validation group by R software. SPSS software was used to compare the survival and prognosis of MBC patients with different metastatic sites in the training group by log-rank method and construct the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the factors of 3-year overall survival, then construct a nomogram survival prediction model by the independent prognostic factors. The C-index was used to evaluate its predictive value and the calibration curve was used to verify the nomogram survival prediction model by internal and external calibration graph.ResultsA total of 3 288 patients with MBC were collected, including 2 304 cases in the training group and 984 cases in the validation group. The data of the two groups were comparable. The median follow-up time of training group and validation group was 34 months and 34 months, respectively. In the training group, the results of Cox proportional hazards model showed that the older, black race, higher histological grading, without operation, ER (–), PR (–), HER-2 (–), and metastases of bone, brain, liver and lung were the risk factors of survival prognosis (P<0.05) and constructed the nomogram survival prediction model with these independent prognostic factors. The nomogram survival prediction showed a good accuracy with C-index of 0.704 [95%CI (0.691, 0.717)] in internal validation (training group) and C-index of 0.691 [95%CI (0.671, 0.711)] in external validation (validation group) in predicting 3-year overall survival. All calibration curves showed excellent consistency.ConclusionNomogram for predicting 3-year overall survival of patients with MBC in this study has a good predictive capability, and it is conducive to development of individualized clinical treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic value of preoperative serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the overall survival (OS) of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to establish an individualized nomogram model and evaluate its efficacy, in order to provide a possible evaluation basis for the clinical treatment and postoperative follow-up of ESCC patients. MethodsAGR, NLR, clinicopathological and follow-up data of ESCC patients diagnosed via pathology in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 2010 to 2017 were collected. The correlation between NLR/AGR and clinicopathological data were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. The optimal cut-off values of AGR and NLR were determined by X-tile software, and the patients were accordingly divided into a high-level group and a low-level group. At the same time, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors affecting OS in the ESCC patients, and a nomogram prediction model was constructed and internally verified. The diagnostic efficacy of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve, and the clinical application value was evaluated by decision curve analysis. ResultsA total of 150 patients were included in this study, including 105 males and 45 females with a mean age of 62.3±9.3 years, and the follow-up time was 1-5 years. The 5-year OS rate of patients in the high-level AGR group was significantly higher than that in the low-level group (χ2=6.339, P=0.012), and the median OS of the two groups was 25 months and 12.5 months, respectively. The 5-year OS rate of patients in the high-level NLR group was significantly lower than that in the low-level NLR group (χ2=5.603, P=0.018), and the median OS of the two groups was 18 months and 39 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that AGR, NLR, T stage, lymph node metastasis, N stage, and differentiation were independent risk factors for the OS of ESCC patients. The C-index of the nomogram model was 0.689 [95%CI (0.640, 0.740)] after internal validation. The area under the ROC curve of predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rate was 0.773, 0.724 and 0.725, respectively. At the same time, the calibration curve and the decision curve suggest that the model had certain efficacy in predicting survival and prognosis. ConclusionPreoperative AGR and NLR are independent risk factors for ESCC patients. High level of AGR and low level of NLR may be associated with longer OS in the patients; the nomogram model based on AGR, NLR and clinicopathological features may be used as a method to predict the survival and prognosis of ESCC patients, which is expected to provide a reference for the development of personalized treatment for patients.