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Background: The pretreatment aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase (De Ritis) ratio is reportedly valuable in prognosis prediction of various malignancies. However, its value in the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not yet been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the De Ritis ratio on the survival outcomes of patients with nonmetastatic NPC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of 1023 patients with nonmetastatic NPC admitted between 2009 and 2013 at a single center. The Fine and Gray competing risk regression model was used to analyze the associations between the De Ritis ratio and the survival outcomes of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by using the subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as size effects. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the correlation between the De Ritis ratio and overall survival (OS) by using hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI as size effects. Results: Patients were divided into two groups in accordance with the pretreatment De Ritis ratio by using an optimal cutoff value of 1.65. Compared with the patients with low De Ritis ratio (< 1.65), those with elevated De Ritis ratio (≥ 1.65) had poorer prognosis with regard to CSS, PFS, and OS. Notably, multivariate analyses showed that high De Ritis ratio was independently associated with poor CSS (SHR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.25–2.16), PFS (SHR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.30–2.19), and OS (HR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.39–2.40). Conclusion: Pretreatment De Ritis ratio can be an independent prognostic predictor for patients with nonmetastatic NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous studies have reported the association between pretreatment serum aspartate transaminase to alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio and prognosis in multiple cancers. However, the results remain controversial and no consensus has been reached. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the prognostic value of pretreatment AST/ALT ratio in solid tumors. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted by using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang databases, as well as several trial registry platforms, including ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, up to April 5, 2019. HR and 95% CI for overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated to estimate the effect size. Results: A total of 18 studies with 9,400 patients were included. Overall, a high level of pretreatment AST/ALT ratio was significantly associated with worse OS (pooled HR=1.70, 95% CI=1.38–2.09). The statistical significance was observed in all cancer types, including renal cell carcinoma (pooled HR=1.64, 95% CI=1.30–2.05), liver cancer (pooled HR=1.16, 95% CI=1.04–1.29), urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (pooled HR=1.96, 95% CI=1.53–2.51), bladder cancer (pooled HR =2.66, 95% CI=1.69–4.20), and other cancers (pooled HR=1.44, 95% CI=1.18–1.76). Moreover, an increased level of serum AST/ALT ratio predicted unfavorable CSS (pooled HR=2.07, 95% CI=1.74–2.46) and RFS (pooled HR=1.51, 95% CI=1.15–1.99). Conclusion: Elevated level of serum AST/ALT ratio before treatment is significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes of OS, CSS, and RFS in patients with solid tumors. Pretreatment AST/ALT ratio can serve as a useful prognostic predictor for malignant patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC) has been increased in recent years. Because of a variance in clinical management and outcome, it is important to distinguish SMPLC from a primary tumor with intrapulmonary metastases. Here, we reported a diagnosis and treatment procedure regarding a case of a 58‐year‐old woman who presented with synchronous multiple tumor lesions in separate lungs. Using a next generation sequencing technology, a discordant EGFR gene profile from the separate lungs was revealed for this patient. After standard treatment procedures, the therapeutic effects were evaluated by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST). This case shows an essential role in the combination of molecular features, together with pathological analysis, during the management of SMPLC, but challenges still required considering during dealing the cases of SMPLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a group of unconventional T cells, which strongly express CD161 and are involved in defending against infectious pathogens and inflammatory diseases. They are activated by inflammatory cytokines, secrete various cytokines and cytotoxic molecules, and express chemokine receptors and integrins. However, the underlying mechanisms of MAIT cells in colon cancer are still not fully understood. Methods: The phenotype and frequency of circulating MAIT cells were investigated by flow cytometry in colon cancer patients and healthy donors. CD161 was examined in cancerous and paracancerous nontumor tissues of colon cancer patients by immunohistochemistry. The serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A were analyzed by ELISA. Finally, MAIT cells were also detected in peripheral blood and tumor tissues in a CT26 tumor-bearing mice model. Results: The percentages of CD4+CD8− MAIT cells, CD4−CD8+ MAIT cells, and CD4−CD8− MAIT cells increased in the peripheral blood of colon cancer patients compared with healthy donors. The expression of CD161 protein in colon cancer cancerous tissues was higher than that in the paracancerous nontumor tissues. The killer cell lectin-like receptor B1 (KLRB1), a coding gene for CD161, was positively associated with the gene expressions of immune inhibitory receptors, such as CTLA4, HAVCR2, PDCD1, and CD274 in colon cancer. Furthermore, the serum levels of IFN-γ and CEA were positively correlated with CD8+ MAIT cells in the peripheral blood of colon cancer patients. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that the circulating MAIT cells and the expression of CD161 protein in the tumor tissues increased in colon cancer patients, and MAIT cells may participate immune activities in colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]