Screening high-risk populations for esophageal and gastric cancer

Untargeted serum metabolomics reveals potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways associated with the progression of gastroesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous metabolic studies in upper digestive cancer have mostly been limited to cross-sectional study designs, which hinders the ability to effectively predict outcomes in the early stage of cancer. This study aims to identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with the multistage progression of epithelial cancer and to explore their predictive value for gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) formation and for the early screening of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

A case-cohort study within the 7-year prospective Esophageal Cancer Screening Cohort of Shandong Province included 77 GEC cases and 77 sub-cohort individuals. Untargeted metabolic analysis was performed in serum samples. Metabolites, with FDR q value < 0.05 and variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1, were selected as differential metabolites to predict GEC formation using Random Forest (RF) models. Subsequently, we evaluated the predictive performance of these differential metabolites for the early screening of ESCC.

RESULTS

We found a distinct metabolic profile alteration in GEC cases compared to the sub-cohort, and identified eight differential metabolites. Pathway analyses showed dysregulation in D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and steroid hormone biosynthesis in GEC patients. A panel of eight differential metabolites showed good predictive performance for GEC formation, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.893 (95% CI = 0.816-0.951). Furthermore, four of the GEC pathological progression-related metabolites were validated in the early screening of ESCC, with an AUC of 0.761 (95% CI = 0.716-0.805).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated a panel of metabolites might be an alternative approach to predict GEC formation, and therefore have the potential to mitigate the risk of cancer progression at the early stage of GEC.

Current status and temporal trend in incidence, death, and burden of esophageal cancer from 1990-2019

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the world's most unknown and deadly cancers. This study aimed to provide updated epidemiological indicators and the recent trend of EC by age group, gender, and geographical region in the world.

METHODS

Annual case data and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of epidemiological indicators of EC were collected from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories based on the sociodemographic index (SDI). Relative difference (%), average annual percentage change (AAPC), and the male/female ratio were calculated. Data are reported in values and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

EC age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) decreased by 19%, age-standardized death rates (ASDR) decreased by 25%, and disability-adjusted life-years ASR (DALYs ASR) decreased by 30% from 1990 to 2019. The higher number of EC cases was in men aged 50 to 69 years and in women aged over 70. From 1990 to 2019, Middle SDI countries experienced a decline in the ASIR and ASDR of EC. The High SDI countries had an increasing ASDR trend. In World Bank High-Income countries, the ASIR of EC has remained unchanged and decreased in other regions. The Asia continent has the highest rate of incidence, mortality, and burden of EC and the highest rate of reduction. East Asia, Southern Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa respectively have the highest ASIR of EC. Central Asia has experienced the greatest decrease in the ASIR and ASDR of EC, the countries of Central Europe had a steady ASIR and High-Income North America had an increasing trend in ASIR and ASDR. The burden of EC shows a decreasing trend worldwide. Central and East Asia regions have the highest rate and the highest increase in the burden of EC.

CONCLUSION

Based on great variation in the geographical distribution of epidemiological indicators of EC, investigating the reasons for this diversity requires more studies to be conducted in the field of prevention, distribution of risk factors, and implementation of screening methods with high cost-effectiveness, and access to treatment methods. The provision of regional solutions may be more effective than global strategies.

Development of a Low-Cost Gastroscope Prototype (GP) for Potential Cost-Effective Gastric Cancer Screening in Prevalent Regions

Background Screening for gastric cancer is known to be associated with reduced mortality in populations with high prevalence. However, many countries with high prevalence do not screen, with high costs being a significant reason for this.

Aims To describe, develop, and assess the potential for a low-cost gastroscope for early cancer screening and patient risk stratification.

Methods Our interdisciplinary team used both off-the-shelf and fabricated components to create multiple gastroscope prototypes (GP) in iterative fashion based off clinician feedback. Clinician endoscopists were surveyed using Likert scales regarding device potential, video quality, and handling when testing on a GI training device. Video quality comparison to clinically standard high-definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE) was done using the absolute categorical ratings (ACR) method.

Results A candidate cost-effective GP with clinical potential was developed. Although initial versions were scored as inferior via ACR on all views tested when compared to HD-WLE (p < 0.001), participants agreed the concept may be beneficial (M = 4.52/5, SD = 0.72). In testing improved versions, participants agreed the device had the ability to identify discrete (M = 4.62/5, SD = 0.51) and subtle lesions (M = 4/5, SD = 0.7) but most felt video quality, although improved, was still less than HD-WLE. Sufficiency of maneuverability of device to visualize gastric views was rated as equivocal (M = 2.69/5, SD = 1.25). Conclusion The presented low-cost gastroscopic devices have potential for clinical application. With further device development and refinement including the possible addition of technologies in telemedicine and artificial intelligence, we hope the GP can help expand gastric cancer screening for populations in need.

Performance of screening tests for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the pooled diagnostic accuracy of the currently available esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) screening tests.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search of Embase and Medline (up to October 31, 2020) was performed to identify eligible studies. We pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio for ESCC screening tools using a bivariate random-effects model. The summary receiver operating characteristic curves with area under the curve (AUC) were plotted for each screening test.

RESULTS

We included 161 studies conducted in 81 research articles involving 32,209 subjects. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the major screening tools were respectively as follows: endoscopy (peroral endoscopy): .94 (95% confidence interval [CI], .87-.97), .92 (95% CI, .87-.95), and .97 (95% CI, .96-.99); endoscopy (transnasal endoscopy): .85 (95% CI, .70-.93), .96 (95% CI, .91-.98), and .97 (95% CI, .95-.98); microRNA: .77 (95% CI, .75-.80), .78 (95% CI, .75-.80), and .85 (95% CI, .81-.87); autoantibody: .45 (95% CI, .36-.53), .91 (95% CI, .89-.93), and .84 (95% CI, .81-.87); and cytology: .82 (95% CI, .60-.93), .97 (95% CI, .88-.99), and .97 (95% CI, .95-.98). There was high heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracy seemed to be comparable between cytology and endoscopy, whereas autoantibody and microRNAs bear potential as future noninvasive screening tools for ESCC. To reduce ESCC-related death in high-risk populations, it is important to develop a more accurate and less-invasive screening test.

Update on Management of Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer death globally. Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC) is the predominant histologic type in the world. Treatment strategies have evolved in the last decade and new paradigms are replacing traditional approaches at all stages of cancer. This review will summarize the epidemiology, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Novel approaches to screening may be cost-effective in regions with a high incidence of ESCC. Multi-disciplinary evaluation and treatment has become the standard of care. Endoscopic resection may be an option for early stage ESCC. Minimally invasive esophagectomy can be performed safely as a primary therapy or after-induction chemoradiation. Several recent studies have found a survival benefit to immunotherapy for patients with metastatic or persistent disease. Multi-disciplinary evaluation and multi-modal therapy including cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy have improved survival compared to surgery alone.

THE ESOPHAGEAL, GASTRIC, AND COLORECTAL TUMORS AND THE ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPIES AND COLONOSCOPIES BY THE BRAZILIAN UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM: WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE?

Esophagogastroduodenoscopies and colonoscopies are the main diagnostic examinations for esophageal, stomach, and colorectal tumors.

LncRNA TUSC8 suppresses the proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells by downregulation of VEGFA

Objective: This study aims to determine the expression pattern of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TUSC8 in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines, to investigate its effects on esophageal cancer cell proliferation and migration, and to explore the mechanism of TUSC8-mediated esophageal cancer suppression via VEGFA downregulation.

Patients and Methods: TUSC8 levels in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The influence of TUSC8 on clinical features in esophageal cancer patients was analyzed. After intervening TUSC8 expression in esophageal cancer cells, the proliferative and migratory abilities were examined in OE19 and TE-1 cells through a series of function experiments. The interaction between TUSC8 and VEGFA was assessed by the bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the co-regulation of TUSC8 and VEGFA on esophageal cancer cell functions was evaluated.

Results: TUSC8 was downregulated in esophageal cancer tissues compared with normal ones. Identically, decreased TUSC8 expression was detected in esophageal cancer cell lines compared with control cells. Low TUSC8 expression predicted poor prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer. Knockdown of TUSC8 promoted the proliferative and migratory abilities in OE19 cells, whereas overexpression of TUSC8 resulted in opposite results in TE-1 cells. VEGFA was confirmed to be a target gene of TUSC8. Overexpression of VEGFA could reverse the regulatory effects of TUSC8 on esophageal cancer cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusions: LncRNA TUSC8 is downregulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines. TUSC8 inhibits the proliferative and migratory abilities in esophageal cancer cells in vitro by negatively regulating VEGFA.

Sharing With Patients the Uncertainties Regarding the Management of Dyspepsia

Background: The management of patients with dyspepsia is uncertain. Some authors advocate endoscopy for all; others restrict endoscopy only to patients at high risk of gastric cancer, namely to those above an age threshold, or with a family history, dysphagia, loss of weight, anemia, or a childhood in Asian countries. Still others recommend various combinations between test-and-treat for Helicobacter pylori, anti-secretory treatment, and/or endoscopy.

Objective: To highlight the uncertainties in the choice between the various strategies and argue that these uncertainties should be shared with the patient.

Method: An overview of reported life expectancy, patient satisfaction, gastric cancer detection rates, symptom relief, and cost effectiveness of the management strategies for dyspepsia.

Main Findings: There are no randomized controlled trials of the effect of screening by endoscopy on mortality of patients with gastric cancer. Lower grades of evidence suggest that early diagnosis reduces this mortality. Analyses, which assume a survival benefit of early diagnosis, indicate that mass screening in countries of high incidence gastric cancer (> 10 cases per 100,000) and targeted screening of high-risk persons in countries of low-intermediate incidence (<10 cases per 100,000) is cost-effective at a willingness to pay of $20,000–50,000 per QALY. Prompt endoscopy appears to be best for patient satisfaction and gastric cancer detection, and test-and-treat for H pylori—for symptom relief and avoiding endoscopies.

Conclusions: The gain in life expectancy is the main source of uncertainty in the choice between management strategies. This choice should be shared with the patients after explaining uncertainties and eliciting their preferences.

Variation in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome of Esophageal Cancer in a Regionalized Care System in Ontario, Canada

IMPORTANCE

Esophageal cancer remains one of the most deadly cancers, ranking sixth highest among cancers leading to the greatest years of life lost.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how patients with esophageal cancer are diagnosed and treated in Ontario's regionalized thoracic surgery centers.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study included patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018, identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry, in a single-payer health care system with regionalization of thoracic surgery in the province of Ontario, Canada.

EXPOSURES

Exposures included incidence of esophageal cancer and stage at diagnosis; time from the first health care visit until treatment; and the use of specialist consultations, endoscopic ultrasonography, positron emission tomography and computed tomography, endomucosal resection, esophagectomy, neoadjuvant therapy, adjuvant therapy, radiation alone, and chemotherapy alone or in combination with other treatment.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Outcome measures included wait times, health care use, treatment, and overall survival. Data were analyzed from March 2020 to February 2021.

RESULTS

There were 10 364 patients (mean [SD] age, 68.3 [11.9] years; 7876 men [76%]) identified during the study period. The incidence of esophageal cancer increased over the study period from 1041 in 2010 to 1309 in 2018, which was driven by a 30% increase in the number of adenocarcinomas. The time from first health care encounter to start of treatment was a median 93 days (interquartile range, 56-159 days). Endoscopic ultrasonography was observed for 12% of patients, and positron emission tomography and computed tomography (CT) in 45%. Use of endoscopic mucosal resection was observed for 8% of patients with stage 0 to I disease. A total of 114 of 547 patients (21%) receiving endoscopic resection had a subsequent esophagectomy. Only 2778 patients (27%) had consultations with a thoracic surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist, whereas 1514 patients (15%) did not see any of these specialists. Of 3047 patients who had an esophagectomy, those receiving neoadjuvant therapy had better overall survival (median survival, 36 months; 95% CI, 32-39 months) than patients who received esophagectomy alone (median survival, 27 months; 95% CI, 24-30 months) or those who received esophagectomy with adjuvant therapy (median survival, 36 months; 95% CI, 32-44 months) despite significant early mortality (log-rank P < .001). There was significant variation in treatment modality across hospitals: esophagectomy ranged from 5% to 39%; esophagectomy after neoadjuvant therapy ranged from 33% to 93%; and esophagectomy followed by adjuvant therapy ranged from 0 to 34% (P < .001). Perioperative mortality was higher at 30 days for patients receiving esophagectomy at low-volume centers (odds ratio [OR], 3.66; 95% CI, 2.01-6.66) and medium-volume centers (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.33-3.23) compared with high-volume centers (P < .001). A longer wait time until treatment was associated with better overall survival (median overall survival was 15 to 17 days vs 5 to 8 days for patients who received treatment earlier than 30 days vs 30 days or longer after diagnosis; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The results of this cohort study suggest that despite regionalization, there was significant regional variability in volumes at designated centers and in the evaluation and treatment course for patients with esophageal cancer across Ontario.

Histone deacetylase 1 regulates the malignancy of oral cancer cells via miR-154-5p/PCNA axis

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) can regulate the progression of various cancers, while their roles in oral cancer cells are not well known. Our present study found that the HDAC1 was over expressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and tissues. Targeted inhibition of HDAC1 via its specific inhibitor PCI24781 or siRNA can inhibit the proliferation of OSCC cells and increase their sensitivity to the chemo-sensitivity such as doxorubicin treatment. HDAC1 can regulate the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) via decreasing its mRNA stability. While over expression of PCNA can attenuate HDAC1 inhibition induced suppression of cell proliferation. We checked the expression of various miRNAs which can target the 3'UTR of PCNA. Results showed that HDAC1 can negative regulate the expression of miR-154-5p, inhibitor of miR-154-5p can attenuate PCI24781 treatment decreased PCNA expression and cell proliferation. Collectively, our present study suggested that HDAC1 can promote the growth and progression of OSCC via regulation of miR-154-5p/PCNA signals.

Systematic upper endoscopy concomitant with colonoscopy performed within the colorectal cancer screening program: Impact on the patients' management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The French colorectal cancer screening program is based on a fecal immunochemical test, followed by colonoscopy in case of positivity. The benefit of adding a concomitant upper endoscopy to detect upper digestive lesions (precancerous or others) is still debated. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency of upper digestive lesions detected by upper endoscopy performed concomitantly with colonoscopy following a positive fecal immunochemical test, and their impact on the patients' management (i.e., surveillance, medical treatment, endoscopic or surgical procedure).

METHODS

Data of all the patients who consulted for a positive test between May 2016 and May 2019 in our center, and for whom concomitant upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with significant history of upper gastrointestinal diseases or with current gastrointestinal symptoms were excluded.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were included [median age (min-max): 62 (50-75), men 64%]. Macroscopic and/or microscopic upper digestive lesions were found in 58 of them (58%): Helicobacter pylori infection in 17 patients, gastric precancerous lesions in 9 patients (chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, n=8, low grade dysplasia, n=1), Barrett's esophagus requiring surveillance in 4 patients, and 1 duodenal adenoma with low-grade dysplasia. In 44 patients (44%), the upper endoscopy findings had an impact on patients' management, with no significant difference between the groups with positive (CRC or advanced adenoma)- or negative (any other lesions or normal) colonoscopy.

CONCLUSION

A systematic upper endoscopy combined with colonoscopy for positive fecal immunochemical test could represent an efficient strategy for upper digestive lesions screening in France. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results and to evaluate cost-effectiveness of this approach.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Autophagy by Ursolic Acid Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Esophageal Cancer Cells

Ursolic acid (UA) possesses various pharmacological activities, such as antitumorigenic and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the effects of UA against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) (TE-8 cells and TE-12 cells). The cell viability assay showed that UA decreased the viability of ESCC in a dose-dependent manner. In the soft agar colony formation assay, the colony numbers and size were reduced in a dose-dependent manner after UA treatment. UA caused the accumulation of vacuoles and LC3 puncta, a marker of autophagosome, in a dose-dependent manner. Autophagy induction was confirmed by measuring the expression levels of LC3 and p62 protein in ESCC cells. UA increased LC3-II protein levels and decreased p62 levels in ESCC cells. When autophagy was hampered using 3-methyladenine (3-MA), the effect of UA on cell viability was reversed. UA also significantly inhibited protein kinase B (Akt) activation and increased p-Akt expression in a dose-dependent manner in ESCC cells. Accumulated LC3 puncta by UA was reversed after wortmannin treatment. LC3-II protein levels were also decreased after treatment with Akt inhibitor and wortmannin. Moreover, UA treatment increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ESCC in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Diphenyleneiodonium (an ROS production inhibitor) blocked the ROS and UA induced accumulation of LC3-II levels in ESCC cells, suggesting that UA-induced cell death and autophagy are mediated by ROS. Therefore, our data indicate that UA inhibits the growth of ESCC cells by inducing ROS-dependent autophagy.

LncRNA NEAT1 promotes gastric cancer progression via miR-1294/AKT1 axis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were reported to promote the development of gastric cancer (GC). Nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) played a great role in diverse cancers, but the mechanism of NEAT1 in GC remains indistinct. NEAT1 and AKT1 were distinctly up-regulated and miR-1294 was down-regulated in GC tissues and cells. Cell proliferation and metastasis were refrained but apoptosis was promoted in GC cells after knockdown of NEAT1. NEAT1 negatively regulated miR-1294 expression, and the miR-1294 inhibitor reverted the si-NEAT1-induced effect on GC cells. NEAT1 modulated AKT1 expression through miR-1294, and the si-NEAT1-induced effect was relieved by AKT1. NEAT1 affected phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway via regulating miR-1294 and AKT1. NEAT1 could modulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis in GC cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway via the miR-1294/AKT1 axis, showing the great potential for NEAT1 as a valid biomarker in the progression and treatment of GC.

Follow-up study on symptom distress in esophageal cancer patients undergoing repeated dilation

BACKGROUND

Repeated endoscopic probe dilatation is the most preferred treatment for esophageal stenosis which may cause high levels of symptom distress in the patient's home rehabilitation stage.

AIM

To explore the changes in the symptom distress level and its correlation with the dilation effect in patients with esophageal carcinoma undergoing repeated dilations for lumen stenosis.

METHODS

The difference (R2-R1) between the diameter of the esophageal stenosis opening (R1) of the patients before dilation (R1) and after dilation (R2) was calculated to describe the extent and expansion of the esophageal stenosis before and after dilation. The M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory was used to describe the symptom distress level of patients with dilation intermittence during their stay at home and to explore the correlation between the dilation effect and symptom distress level.

RESULTS

The diameter of the esophagus (R1) increased before each dilation in patients undergoing esophageal dilation (P < 0.05). The diameter (R2) increased after dilation (P < 0.05); the dilation effect (R2-R1) decreased with the number of dilations (P < 0.05). The total symptom distress score significantly increased with the number of dilations (P < 0.05). The symptom distress scores of the patients were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with the previous dilation effect (R2-R1) and the esophageal diameter (R2) after the previous dilation. After the 1^st to 4^th dilations, the patient's symptom distress score was negatively correlated with the esophageal diameter (R12) before the next dilation, while there was no significant correlation (P > 0.05) with the other dilations.

CONCLUSION

In patients who have undergone repeated dilations, better effect stands for lower symptom distress level and the increase in symptom distress has a prompt effect on the severity of the next occurrence of restenosis.

Exosome-Derived Circ-PVT1 Contributes to Cisplatin Resistance by Regulating Autophagy, Invasion, and Apoptosis Via miR-30a-5p/YAP1 Axis in Gastric Cancer Cells

Background: Emerging studies manifested that exosomal RNAs had pivotal roles in human cancer therapies. This article aimed to research the regulatory mechanism of exosomal circRNA-plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (circ-PVT1) in cisplatin (DDP) resistance of gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Exosomes were isolated by ExoQuick^® method and ultracentrifugation and then identified through transmission electron microscope and the examination of exosome markers. Related proteins were detected using Western blot. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied for measuring circ-PVT1, microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a-5p), and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression. The half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of DDP was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Cell apoptosis and invasion were, respectively, determined using flow cytometry and transwell assay. Target relationship was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The impact of circ-PVT1 on DDP resistance was explored via xenograft tumor assay. Results: Exosomal circ-PVT1 was upregulated while miR-30a-5p was downregulated in DDP-resistant GC serums and cells. Circ-PVT1 knockdown repressed DDP resistance in DDP-resistant GC cells via promoting apoptosis and decreasing invasion or autophagy by negatively targeting miR-30a-5p. YAP1 was a direct target of miR-30a-5p. MiR-30a-5p overexpression inhibited DDP resistance via reducing YAP1. Circ-PVT1 modulated YAP1 expression by targeting miR-30a-5p. Circ-PVT1 depression expedited DDP sensitivity of GC via miR-30a-5p/YAP1 axis in vivo. Conclusion: Exosomal circ-PVT1 facilitated DDP resistance via modulating autophagy, invasion and apoptosis by miR-30a-5p/YAP1 axis in GC cells. Exosomal circ-PVT1 might be a prospective indicator in DDP therapy of GC.

Experimental Study of the Effect of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Barrett Esophagus and Its Correlation with Immune Function

Background: Helicobacter pylori is an important pathogen in the upper digestive tract. It is of great significance to properly understand the risk factors for the transformation of Barrett esophagus into esophageal carcinoma. However, the relationship between H. pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett esophagus remains controversial, and the correlation with immune function has been rarely reported. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of H. pylori infection on Barrett esophagus and its correlation with immune function. Methods: We recruited 40 patients with Barrett esophagus (Barrett esophagus group) and 40 patients with GERD (GERD group). In addition, 40 healthy controls were selected for the control group. Esophageal function and its correlation with immune function were measured in each group. Results: The positivity rate of H. pylori (P < 0.05) and sphincter pressure were lower in both Barrett esophagus and GERD groups than in the control group, while the levels of PGI, PGII, PGI/II, and G-17 were higher (P < 0.05). The levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ were lower in the Barrett esophagus group than in the GERD group, but they were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with H. pylori infection. The level of CD8+ was higher in the Barrett esophagus group, and it was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with H. pylori infection. Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori infection may protect against Barrett esophagus by reducing gastric acid secretion and increasing lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Besides, it has a certain correlation with immune function.

Transcription/Expression of KLRB1 Gene as A Prognostic Indicator in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most prevalent type of cancer with worldwide distribution and dismal prognosis despite ongoing efforts to improve treatment options. Therefore, it is essential to determine the prognostic factors for ESCC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We determined KLRB1 to be a prognostic indicator of human ESCC. KLRB1 was expressed at low levels in ESCC patients. Based on the risk score, patients were divided into high and low-risk groups. High-risk patients showed a poor survival rate. The prediction model based on the N stage, sex, and KLRB1 was significantly better than that based on the N stage and sex. The modified prediction model showed a robust ROC curve with an AUC value of 0.973. The knockdown of KLRB1 inhibited the growth of human ESCC cells. KLRB1 regulated Akt, mTOR, p27, p38, NF-κB, Cyclin D1, and JNK signaling, which was consistent with the result of GSEA.

CONCLUSION

KLRB1 is a potential prognostic marker for human ESCC patients.