ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of apatinib targeted therapy and chemotherapy (CT) in the treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC).Materials and methodsClinical trials were extracted from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, and the Wanfang database. Outcome measures, including therapeutic efficacy, quality of life (QOL), and adverse events, were extracted and evaluated.ResultsNineteen trials, including 1,256 advanced GC patients, were included. The results indicated that, compared with CT alone, the combination of apatinib targeted therapy with CT significantly improved the patients’ complete response rate (OR=1.85, 95% CI=1.04–3.28, P=0.04), partial response rate (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.71–2.80, P<0.00001), overall response (OR=2.57, 95% CI=1.99–3.32, P<0.00001), and disease control rate (OR=3.46, 95% CI=2.57–4.66, P<0.00001). Moreover, the combined therapy exhibited advantages over CT alone in the patients’ QOL including the QOL improved rate (OR=1.77, 95% CI=0.94–3.33, P=0.08) and the Karnofsky performance score (OR=1.77, 95% CI=0.94–3.33, P=0.08). The group that received the combined therapy had higher rates of hypertension (OR=5.75, 95% CI=2.22–14.92, P=0.0003), albuminuria (OR=15.42, 95% CI=5.39–44.10, P<0.00001), and hand–foot syndrome (OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.26–3.48, P=0.004), whereas analyses of other adverse events, such as leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, did not reveal significant differences (P>0.05).ConclusionThe combination of apatinib targeted therapy and CT is more effective for GC treatment than CT alone. However, this combined treatment could lead to greater rates of hypertension, albuminuria, and hand–foot syndrome. Therefore, the benefits and risks should be considered before treatment.

Our study desired to investigate how miR-34c-3p regulates colon cancer cell proliferation and what is the relationship between miR-34c-3p and EIF3D. HCEpiC (normal human colonic epithelial cells), SW620, HT-29, SW480, and HCT-116 (human colon cancer cells lines) were used in our study. SW620 cells were chosen and divided into blank, miR-34c-3p mimics, miR-34c-3p NC, miR-34c-3p inhibitors, Lv-EIF3D, Lv-NC, and miR-34c-3p mimics+Lv-EIF3D groups. qRT-PCR was used for the detection of miR-34c-3p and EIF3D mRNA expressions. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to investigate the effect of miR-34c-3p on EIF3D. Western blot was performed to detect EIF3D, cyclin D1, and c-Myc expressions. Clone formation and MTT assay were used to measure cell proliferation ability. colon cancer cells had lower miR-34c-3p expression, but higher EIF3D expression compared with HCEpiC. EIF3D mRNA expression was regulated negatively by miR-34c-3p. In the miR-34c-3p mimics group, colon cancer cell proliferation was significantly decreased, whereas c-Myc and cyclin D1 expressions were downregulated. Colon cancer cell proliferation in miR-34c-3p inhibitors and Lv-EIF3D groups was enhanced, and c-Myc and cyclin D1 expressions were decreased. The results suggested that by targeting EIF3D, miR-34c-3p inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation.

Background: vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) has an important role in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and progression. The aim of our study is to provide a protocol for assessing the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab (a monoclonal antibody VEGFR-2 antagonist) for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Methods: The systematic review will be reported according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocols. Relevant randomized controlled trials were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Excerpt Medica Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database. Papers in English or Chinese published from their inception to February 2020 will be included without any restrictions. Study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by 2 investigators. The clinical outcomes including overall response rate, complete response rate (disease control rate), overall survival, progression-free survival, quality of life, immune function, and adverse events, were systematically evaluated. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used for data analysis, and a fixed or random-effect model of meta-analysis will be used depending upon the heterogeneity observed between studies. Subgroup analysis will be carried out depending on the availability of sufficient clinical data. Results and Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and provide more evidence-based guidance in clinical practice. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020165683.

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