Background: Liquid biopsy (LB) provides an examination of the peripheral blood of cancer patients for circulating tumor cells, cell-free nucleic acids and microRNAs (miRNAs) and is an established tool of precision medicine. Unlike most previous LB studies that focused on advanced metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), we assessed miRNA dysregulation in blood samples obtained on the day of surgery from patients with primary CRC lesions but no clinical evidence of extra-colonic diffusion. In this study, plasma preparation included miRNAs associated to exosomes, but excluded large macrovesicles from the preparation. Methods: The miRNA profile in plasma isolated from a cohort of 35 CRC patients at the day of surgery was analyzed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and further confirmed by droplet digital RT-PCR (dd-RT-PCR). Results: A miR-141-3p/miR-221-3p/miR-222-3p upregulation signature previously described in advanced CRC did not discriminate the analyzed early-CRC cohort from six tumor-free donors (Tf-D). In contrast, NGS-based miRNome analysis of a training cohort of five CRC and three tumor-free donors identified a novel, distinct nine miRNA signature comprising five up-regulated and four down-regulated miRNAs, six of which could be confirmed in the full CRC and tumor-free donor validation dataset by dd-RT-PCR. Additionally, a KRAS (Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog) mutant status was correlated with the plasma content of three identified miRNAs. Conclusions: When the data obtained were comparatively evaluated, at least one of the miRNAs belonging to the signature list was found to be dysregulated in 34/35 (97.1%) of our early-CRC plasma samples. The miRNA list provides diagnostic markers as well as possible molecular targets for protocols focusing on “microRNA therapeutics”.

Laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer (GC) was introduced in the past decade because it was considered less invasive than open surgery, resulting in less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and improved quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this procedure. We analyzed our preliminary experience with this procedure. From November 2003 to December 2004, 20 patients affected by gastric adenocarcinoma were operated on with a totally laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted approach. This series included 10 women and 10 men, aged from 34 to 75 years. Procedures consisted of eight total gastrectomies, three subtotal Billroth I and seven Billroth II gastrectomies, one proximal gastrectomy, and one wedge resection. According to the TNM classification, we observed five patients at stage Ia, four at stage Ib, three at stage II, one at stage IIIa, two at stage IIIb, and five at stage IV. In all patients the procedures were completed without any conversion. Operative time ranged from 150 to 300 min. The number of dissected lymph nodes ranged from 23 to 47. No mortality was observed. Overall morbidity rate was 10% (two cases), with one enteric fistula and one esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage associated with pancreatitis. Excluding these two patients, postoperative stay was between 12 and 20 days. Even though accompanied by a difficult learning curve, safety and feasibility are widely demonstrated, but a skilled and experienced surgeon is required. Accurate selection of patients is mandatory and curative resection is achievable in cases where GC is not advanced.

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the most dreaded complication after rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of transanal drainage tube in reducing the incidence, severity and hospital costs respect to defunctioning stoma (DS). Methods: Considering 429 patients consecutively operated for rectal adenocarcinoma, the tube was placed in 275 (Group A) and not placed in 154 (Group B) patients. A DS was created in a subgroup of 54 patients among the latter. Results: The incidence of AL was significantly higher in Group B (P=0.007). In patients with DS, the incidence was higher than Group A (P=NS). Grade C complications were significantly higher in Group B (P=0.006) and Grade B complications were significantly higher in patients with DS (P=0.03). Estimated economic benefit was 4,000 Euros for each patient. Conclusions: Transanal drainage tube may be a safe and effective alternative to DS in many cases. The incidence of leakage and Grade C complications are reduced albeit not significantly but Grade B complications are significantly lower. Although the AL incidence was similar in our experience, the tube allows to avoid a stoma-related consequence and the need for reversal procedure with economic benefit.