Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide， with a tendency of increasing incidence in developed countries, which poses a significant threats to the patients’ physical and mental health. The development of colorectal cancer involves numerous genetic alterations, which indicate that transcription factors may play an important role in this process. Changes in the level of zinc finger proteins, the most prevalent transcription factor, may play an important trigger for the development of colorectal cancer. Different zinc finger proteins play different roles in terms of promoting or inhibiting cancer development. This paper briefly reviews the classification, functional characteristics, and expression changes of zinc finger proteins in colorectal cancer, it focuses on how they regulate gene transcription, influence on common signaling pathways and their potential for translational studies and clinical applications. The objective is to stimulate new ideas for their study in colorectal cancer while also providing foundational information to guide drug development and treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients in clinical settings.

Postpartum placental choriocarcinoma is a rare gestational trophoblastic tumor with an incidence of approximately 1 in 50,000. Patients often present with persistent postpartum hemorrhage, leading to potential delayed diagnosis, hematogenous metastasis, and ultimately, poor prognosis. We report a successful case of early diagnosis and timely administration of FAV chemotherapy for 5 cycles in a patient with postpartum choriocarcinoma following cesarean section. During the follow-up period, the patient’s serum β-hCG levels normalized, and imaging lesions resolved completely. Introduction: Pregnancy-related causes must always be ruled out in women of childbearing age who present with irregular vaginal bleeding, even in the postpartum and lactation periods. In patients with postpartum bleeding, vigilance should be heightened to rule out the possibility of pregnancy-related sertoli cell tumor. We describe a woman with irregular vaginal bleeding after childbirth who was eventually diagnosed with postpartum choriocarcinoma.

Background: Malignant pericardial effusion with cardiac buffer secondary to endometrial cancer is exceptional and can be fatal for these patients if it is not recognized in time; however, due to the rarity of this type of case, there is no standardized treatment. Case: We present the case of a patient who went to emergency room due to dyspnea of small exertion that worsened; upon arrival, data of pulmonary thromboembolism were corroborated, and in secondary studies, data of cardiac tamponade were observed, and pericardial window was performed as initial treatment draining 750 mL of pericardial fluid. Later, a cytopathological study of the pericardial fluid revealed adenocarcinoma cells, continuing its diagnostic approach, and found that the primary tumor was adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. Conclusion: Cardiac tamponade is a rare and fatal complication, which makes it a complex pathology for diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is important to publicize this type of case to improve current management.

Background Natural compounds from medicinal plants are being increasingly studied for their reduced aftereffect reaction and reduced drug resistance compared to chemical medicines. These plants, known for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties, are utilized in treating various diseases, including cancer. Methods In this study, the antimicrobial and antitumor attributes of Portulaca oleracea L. essential oil were examined using disk diffusion and MTT assays, respectively. Polylactic acid-Polyethylene glycol-Folate (PLA-PEG-FA) nanoparticles were used to target the delivery of P. oleracea essential oil to MCF-7 cells. The average particle size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were evaluated with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Results The PLA-PEG-FA nanoparticles containing essential oils exhibited a spherical morphology, with a mean diameter varying between roughly 100 to 150 nanometers. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for P. oleracea essential oil against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 6.25 and 12.5 µL mL -1, respectively. The MTT assay demonstrated that the antiproliferative properties of the essential oil increased significantly with encapsulation into the PLA-PEG-FA nanoparticles. Flow cytometry analysis showed that P. oleracea essential oil lessened the viability of MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis pathways in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion In summary, the precise administration of essential oils directly into cancer cells significantly enhances anti-cancer efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

With the use of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies, the clinical outcomes of metastatic melanoma have drastically improved. The current scenario has reduced the use of chemotherapy as a first-line treatment. However, in a resource-limited setting, where access to ICIs and targeted therapies is not feasible, and in patients who fail to tolerate these therapies, chemotherapy continues to remain effective. The median survival and response rates with chemotherapy alone are dismally low. Here, we report a case in which a patient with stage IV anorectal melanoma was able to achieve a complete metabolic response and sustain it for 3 years and continue to do so with the first-line single-agent temozolomide.

Background: Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare sarcomatous tumor that presents infrequently as an osseous lesion of the spine. To our knowledge, few case reports exists regarding primary lesions of the lumbar spine with only one report indicating thoracic spine as a primary site. Case Description: We present a case of a 32-year-old female presenting with primary osseous SEF with complaints of axial and right sided thoracic back pain for 4 months. Imaging of the thoracic spine revealed a mass at T5 with vertebra plana and central spinal cord compression at T5-T6 without significant expansion of mass to soft tissues or adjacent vertebral levels. We performed a T5 corpectomy with posterior spinal instrumented fusion from T3-T7. Pathologic and immunohistochemical studies confirmed diagnosis of SEF. 1 year follow-up revealed no recurrence of disease and significant pain relief without neurologic dysfunction. Conclusions: In light of the extent of the vertebral body involvement, the severity of cord compression, and the patients associated neurologic symptoms, a T5 corpectomy with T3-T7 posterior fusion was performed. Given the nature of the spine, complete resection of these tumors is usually impossible and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary for resolution of disease.

Background: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is an aggressive mesenchymal tumor that usually occurs in children. When it occurs in adults, it poses a diagnostic challenge for the medical team. The clinical manifestations are not specific, imaging studies show a hepatic mass with a mixed component (solid and cystic). To date, surgical resection with neoadjuvant therapy has yielded satisfactory results in terms of survival. Case: We present the case of a 19-year-old patient, which, to our knowledge is the only case reported in Central America, which was surgically resected and received adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient has been followed for 34 months, and she remains free of disease. Conclusion: The presented case highlights the need to raise awareness about UESL in the Central American region and promote a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach to improve disease-free survival in these patients.

Background Chondrosarcoma accounts for 20% of all bone sarcomas and may present with soft tissue extension. The presence of an extraosseous component, along with positive surgical margins, have been separately associated with increased risk of local recurrence and decreased survival. The purpose of this investigation is to describe the treatment and outcomes of 7 chondrosarcoma patients who presented with both chondrosarcoma with soft tissue extension as well as positive surgical margins post wide en bloc resection. Methods This was a retrospective review over a consecutive thirteen-year period. Data including treatment details and outcomes were included. All patients underwent attempted negative margin wide en bloc resection and encountered unplanned positive margins on intraoperative determination or post-operative pathology. Results A total of 7 cases were identified. Average age (SD) was 61.1 years (5.87) with median (range) follow-up of 17.0 months (3, 91). Four (57.1%) cases arose in the extremities, and 3 (42.9%) cases in the pelvis. All patients underwent attempted negative margin wide en bloc resection. Four (57.1%) cases recurred with median (IQR) time to recurrence 16.0 months (9.50, 22.0). At study conclusion, five (71.4%) were alive with median (IQR) survival of 23 months (12.5, 36). Overall survival (OS) probability was 100%, 53.3%, and 53.3% at 1, 3, and 5-years, respectively. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 60%, 40%, and 40% at 1-, 3-, and 5-years, respectively. Conclusion Despite a limited sample size, our data reflected similar OS to chondrosarcomas with positive margins alone, but a higher recurrence rate. Our cohort represents a high-risk subgroup of chondrosarcoma patients, which may dictate increased monitoring and guide future treatment recommendations for these patients.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Background Biallelic FANCM variants are linked to a Fanconi anemia-like cancer predisposition syndrome which includes early onset breast cancer, chemotherapy toxicity and chromosome fragility. Additionally, heterozygous truncating variants have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. However, the published results have been inconsistent, and the risks and the functional effects associated with the variants also vary depending on the position in the gene, with N-terminal truncating variants having a stronger effect. Compared to other FANCM variants studied, milder patient phenotypes and only late onset breast cancer have been reported for the homozygous C-terminal c.5101C>T variant, which is enriched in Finland. Case We report here a Finnish patient, homozygous for the FANCM c.5101C>T, p.(Gln1701*) variant, who manifested with early onset triple negative breast cancer, chemotherapy toxicity and chromosome fragility. The homozygous c.5101C>T has previously been reported in two Finnish siblings with primary ovarian insufficiency and chromosome fragility. Conclusion These findings suggest that the C-terminal FANCM variant c. 5101C>T may also cause a phenotype similar to the phenotype caused by N-terminal truncating variants, when inherited in a homozygous state.

The incidence of multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) varies, ranging from 3.0% to 17.0%, with synchronous MPMs occurring at rates of 1.0% to 4.41%. The incidence of MPMs was found to be higher in male and older CRC patients. However, age-related findings are inconsistent, with some studies indicating a higher risk in younger CRC patients, possibly linked to genetic aberrations and carcinogen exposure. The field cancerization theory, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy demonstrated associations with the occurrence of MPMs. Genetic analyses emphasizing microsatellite instability (MSI), CpG island methylation phenotype (CIMP), chromosomal translocations, and p53 mutations as potential contributors to the development of MPMs associated with CRC. Prognostically, MPMs associated with CRC, especially synchronous cases, are linked to lower survival rates, primarily attributed to postoperative complications.

Objectives: Ovarian cancer has a limited immunotherapeutic response; hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between CXC-chemokine ligand 13 ( CXCL13) expression and overall survival (OS) rate, key immune pathways, degree of immune cell infiltration, and PD-1 checkpoint blockade. Methods: A total of 703 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from “The Cancer Genome Atlas” (TCGA) database based on the immune and stromal scores of 379 OC patients for getting the targeted gene CXCL13. The association between CXCL13 and OS in OC patients, biological function annotation of CXCL13, and its correlation with immune components were assessed. Results: The results indicated that upregulated CXCL13 expression was positively correlated with good OC patient prognosis. CXCL13 expression was associated with six immune-related pathways, ten immune cells, and PD-1 in the OC microenvironment. Moreover, high expression of CXCL13 was related to a better tumor response and a more extended tumor-stable stage after PD-1 blocking therapy in IMvigor210. Conclusions: The study concluded that CXCL13 could be a prognostic marker and a potential immunotherapy target for OC patients, especially PD-1 checkpoint blockade.

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a subset of small noncoding RNA with approximately 26-30 nucleotides, and it plays a vital role in maintaining genome stability and modulating protein synthesis. Recently, emerging evidence suggested that piRNA are expressed in a tissue-specific manner across diverse human cancers, intricately modulating pivotal signaling pathways at the transcriptional or post transcriptional level. This review systematically underscores current investigations pertaining to piRNA in urologic carcinoma (UC), elucidating the proposed regulatory mechanisms encompassing N6- methyladenosine (m6A) modification and the silencing of transposable elements. Furthermore, we discussed the detection technology and the application of piRNA in the fields of clinical diagnosis.

We report a unique case involving a male breast cancer complicated with leukemoid reaction caused by PEG-rhG-CSF after chemotherapy. A male patient with postoperative breast cancer developed leukemoid reaction induced by prophylactic use of PEG-rhG-CSF after AC-T regimen chemotherapy. Combined with the related literature, we analyzed and summarized the rare complications of clinical diagnosis, treatment, prevention of myelosuppression after chemotherapy and leukemoid reaction in male breast cancer.

Multiple primary malignancies (MPM )may arise in the same organ or differentsites of the body. Wepresent a challengingcase of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with metastatic subcutaneous nodule beneath the skin of the breast, coexisting with a second lesion in the breast tissue on the same side. The latter was confirmed later as a second primary invasive breast cancer. Generally, when a patient presents with a suspicious breast mass and a firm, possibly malignant subcutaneous nodule on the same breast, this situation guides the clinician to suspect breast cancer. However, in some atypical cases, metastasis might originate from another primary cancer site, such as the lung parenchyma. Here, we report this case to improve the management of similar cases and remind clinicians to always consider such rare possibilities.

Background: High expression levels of cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) have been recognized as poor survival in several different cancers. Nevertheless, the significance of CD47 in patients with solid tumors remains controversial. Methods: This meta‑analysis was based on a search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases to obtain 22 eligible published studies (totaling 4,204 patients) between January 2018 and January 2024. The combined hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) were evaluated, and the HRs for relapse‑free survival (RFS), progression‑free survival (PFS), and disease‑free survival (DFS), as well as odds ratios for clinicopathological data, were also respectively combined. Results: The data obtained from these studies were extracted from these published studies and analyzed. This study suggested that CD47 overexpression was related to shorter OS times in human solid tumors, with a combined HR for OS (according to the univariate analysis) of HR=1.60 [95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.43‑1.79; P<0.00001], and a pooled HR for OS (according to the multivariate analysis) of HR=2.02 (95% CI: 1.43‑2.84; P<0.0001). The subgroup analysis revealed that CD47 overexpression was related with inferior OS rates according to country, cancer type, sample size, analysis type and the method via which the HR value was obtained (i.e., reported or extracted; P<0.05); in addition, a high expression level of CD47 was also a predictor of poor DFS, PFS and RFS rates (P<0.00001). Certain factors, such as lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, differentiation type, tumor recurrence and tobacco exposure, resulted in an upregulation of CD47 (P<0.05). Conclusion: CD47 overexpression was found to be significantly related with an advanced clinical stage, poor differentiation types and tobacco exposure, and may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting worse prognosis in human solid tumors.

The incidence of melanoma among young adults has risen, yet mortality has declined annually since the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). The utilization of peri-operative ICI has significantly altered the treatment landscape in melanoma, with PD-1 inhibitors showing promising efficacy in improving relapse-free survival rates in high-risk stage II-III disease. With the increasing use of ICI, secondary concerns have emerged regarding the impact of cancer drugs on fertility and reproductive health among child-bearing women, especially in early-stage cancer settings. The exclusion of pregnant women from trials contributes to limited human data and clinical uncertainties, such as maternal and fetal toxicities related to ICI exposure during pregnancy, as well as the value of fertility preservation prior to ICI therapy. Additionally, uncertainty persists regarding pregnancy planning after immunotherapy in an adjuvant setting, given the potential detrimental effects of hormonal and immunological changes during pregnancy on melanoma relapse. These considerations raise questions about whether pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM) represents a distinct disease entity that warrants tailored management compared to non-pregnant cases.

Background: Despite ongoing debate about reliable prognostic factors, this study aimed to develop and validate a novel nomogram for predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with ependymoma. Methods: Clinical data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database spanning 2000 to 2018 were used for the analysis. Data were randomly categorized into development and validation groups in a 7:3 ratio. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and LASSO regression were conducted to identify independent risk factors for CSS. Predictive models were evaluated using calibration plots,  concordance index (C-index),  and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Additionally, decision curve analysis and clinical impact curves were conducted. Results: The final sample comprised 2,340 patients. Multivariate analysis identified race, age, histological type, surgery, and tumor site as independent predictors of CSS. A nomogram incorporating these risk factors was developed to predict CSS  in patients with ependymomas. Calibration plots demonstrated a high level of consistency between predicted and actual values. The C-index for the training cohort was 0.746 (95% CI: 0.715–0.777), and for the validation cohort, it was 0.743 (95% CI: 0.698–0.788). Additionally, both AUC and decision curve analysis analyses indicated robust performance and clinical significance benefits. Kaplan–Meier curves further demonstrated the nomogram’s strong ability to predict patient outcomes. Conclusions: Our nomogram has the potential to offer significant value in predicting the outcomes of patients with ependymomas aged > 1, 5, and 8 years. This predictive model will assist doctors and patients in devising effective clinical strategies.

Background：Clinical laboratory data, indicative of tumor cell growth and metabolic activity, warrants investigation for its potential in predicting lung cancer metastasis. Aims: The purpose is to develop a predictive model for regional lymph node involvement and skip metastasis in lung cancer using machine learning methods and integrating clinical laboratory information and patient characteristics. Methods: Data from lung cancer patients at Chongqing University Fuling Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into N (regional lymph node involvement prediction) and M (skip metastasis prediction) groups based on TNM staging criteria. Prognostic factors were determined through univariate analysis and LASSO regression, and machine learning algorithms were used to develop predictive models. Results: Out of a total of 1629 cases analyzed, 861 were in the N group and 519 were in the M group. Univariate analysis revealed 40 parameters that were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05) and 27 parameters, respectively. LASSO regression identified 13 characteristic factors for the N group and 12 for the M group. In the N group, these factors included tumor size, prothrombin time (PT), mean platelet volume, fibrinogen, platelet count, procalcitonin, carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), adenosine deaminase, red blood cell distribution width, thrombin time, smoking and drinking history. In the M group, the factors were cytokeratin 19 fragment, tumor size, CEA, CA 15-3, squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen, alkaline phosphatase, fibrinogen, hemoglobin, calcium, albumin, PT, and absolute monocyte value. The test set results indicated that the Logistic regression model was optimal for both groups, achieving AUCs of 0.888 and 0.875, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of using machine learning algorithms alongside clinical characteristics and laboratory data to predict regional lymph node involvement and skip metastasis in lung cancer.