Citations

Background and Aim: The etiology of liver diseases has changed in recent years, but its impact on the comparative burden of liver cancer between males and females is unclear. We estimated sex differences in the burden of liver cancer across 204 countries and territories from 2010 to 2019. Approach and Result: We analyzed temporal trends in the burden of liver cancer using the methodology framework of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study. We estimated annual frequencies and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) of liver cancer incidence, death, and disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) by sex, country, region, and etiology of liver disease. Globally in 2019, the frequency of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs due to liver cancer were 376,483, 333,672, and 9,048,723 in males, versus 157,881, 150,904, and 3,479,699 in females. From 2010 to 2019, the incidence ASRs in males increased while death and DALY ASRs remained stable; incidence, death, and DALY ASRs in females decreased. Death ASRs for both sexes increased only in the Americas and remained stable or declined in remaining regions. In 2019, hepatitis B was the leading cause of liver cancer death in males, and hepatitis C in females. From 2010 to 2019, NASH had the fastest growing death ASRs in males and females. The ratio of female‐to‐male death ASRs in 2019 was lowest in hepatitis B (0.2) and highest in NASH (0.9). Conclusions: The overall burden of liver cancer is higher in males, although incidence and death ASRs from NASH‐associated liver cancer in females approach that of males.

Background: In patients with neuroendocrine liver metastasis (NELM), liver transplantation (LT) is an alternative to liver resection (LR), although the choice of therapy remains controversial. In this multicenter study, we aim to provide novel insight in this dispute. Methods: Following a systematic literature search, 15 large international centers were contacted to provide comprehensive data on their patients after LR or LT for NELM. Survival analyses were performed with the Kaplan-Meier method, while multivariable Cox regression served to identify factors influencing survival after either transplantation or resection. Inverse probability weighting and propensity score matching was used for analyses with balanced and equalized baseline characteristics. Results: Overall, 455 patients were analyzed, including 230 after LR and 225 after LT, with a median follow-up of 97 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 85–110 months]. Multivariable analysis revealed G3 grading as a negative prognostic factor for LR [hazard ratio (HR)=2.22, 95% CI: 1.04–4.77, P=0.040], while G2 grading (HR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.15–5.52, P=0.021) and LT outside Milan criteria (HR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.16–4.92, P=0.018) were negative prognostic factors in transplanted patients. Inverse probability-weighted multivariate analyses revealed a distinct survival benefit after LT. Matched patients presented a median overall survival (OS) of 197 months (95% CI: 143–not reached) and a 73% 5-year OS after LT, and 119 months (95% CI: 74–133 months) and a 52.8% 5-year OS after LR (HR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9, P=0.022). However, the survival benefit after LT was lost if patients were transplanted outside Milan criteria. Conclusions: This multicentric study in patients with NELM demonstrates a survival benefit of LT over LR. This benefit depends on adherence to selection criteria, in particular low-grade tumor biology and Milan criteria, and must be balanced against potential risks of LT.

AbstractBackgroundResection of colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) is beneficial when feasible. However, the benefit of second hepatectomy for hepatic recurrence in CLM remains unclear.MethodsThe Colorectal Liver Operative Metastasis International Collaborative retrospectively examined 1004 CLM cases from 2000 to 2018 from a total of 953 patients. Hepatic recurrence after initial hepatectomy was identified in 218 patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed for overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to offset selection bias. Cox proportional‐hazards regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with OS.ResultsA total of 51 patients underwent second hepatectomy. Unadjusted median OS was 60.1 months in repeat‐hepatectomy versus 38.3 months in the single‐hepatectomy group (p = 0.015). In the PSM population, median OS remained significantly better in the repeat‐hepatectomy group (60.1 vs. 33.1 months; p = 0.0023); median RFS was 12.4 months for the repeat‐hepatectomy group, versus 9.8 months in the single‐hepatectomy group (p = 0.0050). Repeat hepatectomy was associated with lower risk of death (hazard ratio: 0.283; p = 0.000012). Obesity, tobacco use, and high intraoperative blood loss were associated with significant risk of death (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn CLM with hepatic recurrence, second hepatectomy was beneficial for OS. With PSM, the OS benefit of performing a second hepatectomy remained significant.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are prognostic in invasive breast cancer. However, their prognostic significance in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been controversial. To investigate the prognostic role of TILs in DCIS outcome, we used different scoring methods for TILs in multi-national cohorts from Asian and European women. Self-described race was genetically confirmed using QC Infinium array combined with radmixture software. Stromal TILs, touching TILs, circumferential TILs, and hotspots were quantified on H&E-stained slides and correlated with the development of second breast cancer events (BCE) and other clinico-pathological variables. In univariate survival analysis, age older than 50 years, hormone receptor positivity and the presence of circumferential TILs were weakly associated with the absence of BCE at the 5-year follow-up in all cohorts (p < 0.03; p < 0.02; and p < 0.02, respectively, adjusted p = 0.11). In the multivariable analysis, circumferential TILs were an independent predictor of a better outcome (Wald test p = 0.01), whereas younger age was associated with BCE. Asian patients were younger with larger, higher grade, HR negative DCIS lesions, and higher TIL variables. The spatial arrangement of TILs may serve as a better prognostic indicator in DCIS cases than stromal TILs alone and may be added in guidelines for TILs evaluation in DCIS.

Background: Thirty-six states, including Florida, have legalized marijuana for medical and/or recreational use, yet how it is used and perceived by persons with cancer is not well understood. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of use, perceived benefits, and side effects of medical marijuana (MMJ) among cancer patients in Florida. Methods: For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, anyone residing within the state of Florida who was diagnosed or treated for a malignancy within the last five years and had used MMJ was eligible. An online survey containing questions about dosing, side effects, perceived benefits, and barriers to use was used. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to analyze quantitative data. Responses to open-ended questions were coded and categorized. Results: Sleep ( n = 112), pain ( n = 96), and anxiety ( n = 82) were the most common symptoms participants used MMJ to relieve and overall felt it was highly effective. MMJ was well tolerated with a minority (10.3%) reporting any adverse effects. Cost was the most frequent barrier reported by participants (42.8%). A variety of legal, bureaucratic, and system-related barriers were described. Conclusion: Participants perceived MMJ to be helpful in alleviating cancer symptoms. They held negative perceptions of the way MMJ is implemented and integrated into their oncology treatment plan. Enhanced communication and patient/provider education on MMJ are needed to inform patient decision making.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease globally in tandem with the growing obesity epidemic. However, there is a lack of data on the relationship between historical weight changes 10 years ago and at present on NAFLD prevalence at the population level. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the relationship between weight classes and the prevalence of NAFLD. Methods: Data were used from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. Univariate and multivariate general linear model analyses were used to obtain risk ratio (RR) estimations of NAFLD events. Results: In total, 34,486 individuals were analysed, with those who were lean at both time points as the control group. Overweight (RR: 14.73, 95%CI: 11.94 to 18.18, p < 0.01) or obese (RR: 31.51, 95%CI: 25.30 to 39.25, p < 0.01) individuals at both timepoints were more likely to develop NAFLD. Residual risk exists where previously obese individuals became overweight (RR: 14.72, 95%CI: 12.36 to 17.52, p < 0.01) or lean (RR: 2.46, 95%CI: 1.40 to 4.31, p = 0.02), and previously overweight individuals who became lean (RR 2.24, 95%CI 1.42 to 3.54, p = 0.01) had persistent elevated risk of developing NAFLD despite weight regression. Sensitivity analysis identified that a higher proportion of individuals with regression in weight class were diabetics and Mexican Americans, while fewer African Americans saw weight-class regression. Conclusions: Residual risk exists in patients who lost weight despite the smaller magnitude of effect, and targeted weight reductions should still be used to mitigate the risk of NAFLD at the population level.

Abstract A 70‐year‐old woman with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation underwent Micra leadless pacemaker implantation and atrioventricular nodal ablation. No postprocedural complications were noted. She subsequently underwent surgical mitral valve replacement 4 years later. During the surgery, Micra tine perforation of the right ventricular free wall was seen. No device revision was performed due to her asymptomatic status and stable pacemaker position/function. Pericardial effusion is a known complication of Micra implantation. The incidence of tine perforation is unknown as many patients may be asymptomatic. The clinical consequences regarding adverse events, device functionality, and explantation/extraction risk profile remain to be determined.

PURPOSE To determine the specific types, durations, and intensities of recreational physical activity associated with the greatest improvements in disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with colon cancer. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study nested within a randomized multicenter trial of stage III colon cancer that compared 3 versus 6 months of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin with or without celecoxib. We measured recreational physical activity in the first 3 months of chemotherapy and again 6 months after completion of chemotherapy. The primary end point was DFS. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 5.9 years, 457 of 1,696 patients experienced disease recurrence or death. For total recreational physical activity volume, the 3-year DFS was 76.5% with < 3.0 metabolic equivalent task hours per week (MET-h/wk) and 87.1% with ≥ 18.0 MET-h/wk (risk difference [RD], 10.6%; 95% CI, 4.7 to 19.4; P < .001). For light-intensity to moderate-intensity activities, the 3-year DFS was 65.7% with 0.0 h/wk and 87.1% with ≥ 1.5 h/wk (RD, 21.4%; 95% CI, 9.2 to 37.1; P < .001). For vigorous-intensity activity, the 3-year DFS was 76.0% with 0.0 h/wk and 86.0% with ≥ 1.0 h/wk (RD, 10.0%; 95% CI, 4.5 to 18.9; P < .001). For brisk walking, the 3-year DFS was 81.7% with < 1.0 h/wk and 88.4% with ≥ 3.0 h/wk (RD, 6.7%; 95% CI, 3.0 to 13.8; P < .001). For muscle strengthening activity, the 3-year DFS was 81.8% with 0.0 h/wk and 88.8% for ≥ 0.5 h/wk (RD, 7.0%; 95% CI, 3.1 to 14.2; P = .003). CONCLUSION Among patients with stage III colon cancer enrolled in a trial of postoperative treatment, larger volumes of recreational physical activity, longer durations of light- to moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or any vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity were associated with the greatest improvements in DFS.

Abstract Activation of innate immunity in the brain is a prominent feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study investigated the regulation of innate immunity by young serum in a transgenic AD mouse model. We found that young serum significantly reduced the number of neutrophils and microglial reactivity in the brains of APP/PS1 mice. Neutrophil depletion via Ly6G neutralizing antibodies mimicked the benefits of young serum on AD brain functions. Serum proteomic analysis of young serum revealed significant enrichment of the factors VEGF-A and CXCL1, which are crucial for neutrophil migration and chemotaxis, leukocyte migration, and cell chemotaxis. Intravenously injected VEGF-A reversed Aβ-induced decreases in Cdk5 and increases in CXCL1 in vitro and blocked neutrophil infiltration into the AD brain. Endothelial Cdk5 overexpression conferred an inhibitory effect on CXCL1 and neutrophil infiltration and thereby restored memory in APP/PS1 mice. Our data uncover a previously unknown link between blood-derived VEGF signaling and neutrophil infiltration and provide a rationale for targeting endothelial Cdk5 signaling as a potential therapeutic strategy for AD.

AbstractObjectivesThe assessment of physical function is fundamental in the management of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We aimed to investigate the physical function of patients with IIMs compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) utilizing Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) data obtained in the COVAD study, an international self-reported e-survey assessing the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in AIRDs.MethodsDemographics, AIRD diagnosis, disease activity, and PROMIS PF short form-10a data were extracted from the COVAD database. PROMIS PF-10a scores were compared between disease categories and stratified by disease activity. Factors affecting PROMIS PF-10a scores other than disease activity were identified by multivariable regression analysis in patients with inactive disease.ResultsA total of 1057 IIM patients, 3635 non-IIM AIRD patients and 3981 healthy controls (HCs) responded to the COVAD e-survey from April to August 2021. Using a binomial regression model, the predicted mean of PROMIS PF-10a scores was significantly lower in IIM patients compared with non-IIM AIRD patients or HCs [36.3 (95% CI 35.5, 37.1) vs 41.3 (95% CI 40.2, 42.5) vs 46.2 (95% CI 45.8, 46.6), P &lt; 0.001], irrespective of disease activity. The independent factors for lower PROMIS PF-10a scores in patients with inactive disease were older age, female, longer disease duration, and a diagnosis of inclusion body myositis or polymyositis.ConclusionPhysical function is significantly impaired in IIMs compared with non-IIM AIRDs or HCs, even in patients with inactive disease. Our study highlights a critical need for better strategies to minimize functional disability in patients with IIMs.