CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2) expression is associated with the prognosis of multiple cancers. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the association between the CXCR2 expression in tumor tissue and patient prognosis. We compiled related literature from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (last updated July 31, 2017). A total of 4012 patients with solid tumors from 21 studies were included to evaluate the association between CXCR2 and overall survival, recurrence-free survival, or disease-free survival. High CXCR2 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (pooled HR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.63–2.03; P < 0.001), recurrence-free survival (pooled HR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.21–1.62; P < 0.001), and disease-free survival (pooled HR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.05–3.40; P = 0.033), especially in patients with digestive system neoplasms. Thus high CXCR2 expression in tumor tissue appears predictive of a poor prognosis in patients with solid tumors. Further studies will be required to determine whether CXCR2 blockade has a favorable effect on the prognosis of patients with cancer.

Background Expression of C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) is associated with the prognosis of several cancers. The aim of this study was to conduct the meta-analysis to determine the prognostic value of CCR7 expression in solid tumors. Materials and methods We searched for relevant literature in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases (last updated on January 15, 2018). The associations of CCR7 expression with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), progress-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were estimated. Results In total, 30 qualified studies including 3,413 patients were enrolled. The results revealed that higher expression of CCR7 predicted poorer OS (pooled HR =1.79; 95% CI =1.49–2.16; P <0.001) and PFS (pooled HR =2.18; 95% CI =1.49–3.18; P <0.001), but was not associated with DFS (pooled HR =1.69; 95% CI =0.79–3.61; P =0.175), RFS (pooled HR =1.29; 95% CI =0.48–3.44; P =0.618), or DSS (pooled HR =3.06; 95% CI =0.38–24.83; P <0.294). Conclusion From this meta-analysis, we concluded that high expression of CCR7 in tumor tissue is associated with poor survival in patients with solid tumors, and may be a prognostic biomarker for tumor progression.

A growing number of evidence has revealed that aberrantly expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the development of a variety of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the clinical relevance of most lncRNAs and their potential biological functions in CRC remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify the key lncRNAs related to patient prognosis as well as their biological function and underlying mechanism in CRC. Therefore, five independent datasets containing CRC and normal tissue RNA sequencing, microarray data and the corresponding clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus were screened. Hundreds of significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs in CRC were determined, and Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed that some of these lncRNAs were related to the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with CRC, such as RP11-108K3.2, FOXD3-AS1, H19 and AP001469.9. Among these dysregulated lncRNAs, LINC02163 and FEZF1-AS1 were significantly upregulated in CRC tissues, suggesting that they may have oncogenic roles in CRC. Furthermore, loss of function assays revealed that downregulation of LINC02163 and FEZF1-AS1 impaired CRC cell proliferation. In addition, RNA Immunoprecipitation and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation assays determined that FEZF1-AS1 regulates CRC cell growth via interacting with LSD1 and repressing KLF2 expression. Collectively, hundreds of dysregulated lncRNAs and their associated biological roles identified in this study may provide potentially useful biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CRC.

AimThe aim of this study is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of regional and intermittent hepatic inflow occlusion in laparoscopic hepatectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 180 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver surgery in Taizhou People’s Hospital from 2015 to 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into the regional occlusion group (n = 74) and the Pringle’s maneuver occlusion group (n = 106) according to the technique used in the intraoperative hepatic inflow occlusion. The pre- and intra-operative indicators, postoperative recovery indicators, and complications of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) between the groups in terms of sex, age, preoperative alanine aminotransferase (ALT), preoperative aspartate aminotransferase (AST), preoperative albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B, tumor location, gas embolism, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative albumin, postoperative total bilirubin (TBIL), postoperative hospital stays, and complications. The preoperative TBIL and operation time were higher in the regional occlusion group than in the Pringle’s maneuver occlusion group, while the amount of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative ALT, and AST in the regional occlusion group were significantly lower than those in the Pringle’s maneuver occlusion group (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe two occlusion techniques are equally safe and effective, but regional hepatic inflow occlusion is more advantageous in operation continuity, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative liver function recovery. The long duration and high precision of the regional blood flow occlusion technique demands a more experienced physician with a higher level of operation; therefore, it can be performed by experienced laparoscopic liver surgeons.

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the effects of early antiplatelet therapy (APT) for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension after splenectomy with gastro‐oesophageal devascularization.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 139 patients who underwent splenectomy with gastro‐oesophageal devascularization for portal hypertension due to cirrhosis between April 2010 and December 2016. Based on the post‐operative platelet values, we used two different APT regimens: APT was started when platelet counts were increased to 200 × 109/L or above (group A, n = 64) or 300 × 109/L or above (group B, n = 75). We took note of the patients’ clinical symptoms, operative factors and biochemical indicators.ResultsPlatelet count, mean platelet volume, D‐dimer and pancreatic fistula were closely related to the development of PVT. Early APT was an independent protective factor for PVT. The incidence of post‐operative PVT was 15.1% (21/139) overall, 4.7% (3/64) in group A and 24% (18/75) in group B; there was a significant difference between groups A and B (χ 2 = 10.042, P = 0.002).ConclusionPlatelet count, mean platelet volume, D‐dimer and pancreatic fistula were independent risk factors for the development of PVT after splenectomy with gastro‐oesophageal devascularization. Selection of the appropriate timing for early APT according to the post‐operative platelet count was feasible. Moreover, the use of aspirin combined with dipyridamole was safe and effective for early prevention of PVT.