The highest risk areas of gastric cancer are currently Japan, Korea and China; Qinghai, a high-altitude area, has one of the highest gastric cancer rates in China. The incidence of gastric cancer is higher in the Tibetan ethnic group compared to that in the Han ethnic group in Qinghai. This study was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and copy numbers among Tibetans with gastric cancer residing at high altitudes and investigate the association between adaptations to hypoxic conditions and oncogenesis. A total of 23 Tibetan gastric cancer patients and 40 matched controls were recruited in this study. Leukocyte mtDNA genes and copy numbers were analyzed. The haplogroups were classified based on mitochondrial gene sequences. A total of 56.5% of the study participants had used alcohol at some point in their lives and 73.9% were positive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Eight mutations in 8 mitochondrial genes were identified in 43.4% of the Tibetan cancer patient group. There were no significant differences in leukocyte mtDNA copy number levels based on smoking status, alchohol consumption, obesity or H. pylori infection between the control and cancer groups. Statistical differences were also not found between gastric cancer patients with and those without mtDNA mutations. The majority of Tibetan patients with gastric cancer belonged to the mitochondrial haplogroup M9. In conclusion, Tibetans with gastric cancer residing at high altitudes exhibited a wide spectrum of mtDNA mutations. However, leukocyte mtDNA copy numbers in stage II gastric cancer were not statistically different compared to those in healthy Tibetans.

To evaluate the efficacy of different combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chemotherapy (CT) in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We obtained relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library up to May 31, 2023. The analysis of clinical prognostic factors was performed using R 4.2.3 and STATA 15.0. The main outcomes measured were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary outcomes included the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and treatment-related adverse events of grade 3-5 severity (Grade ≥3 TRAE). A total of 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted between 2012 and 2023, involving 7792 patients. These trials evaluated 11 different treatment methods. The results of these trials showed that in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), the combination of tislelizumab with chemotherapy and the combination of camrelizumab with chemotherapy were particularly effective. Moreover, when compared with other combination therapies, pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy showed superiority in terms of disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR). Subgroup analyses further demonstrated that the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to chemotherapy significantly improved PFS and OS in patients without liver metastasis and in those with brain metastasis. Additionally, carboplatin-based combination therapy was found to confer favorable survival benefits in terms of PFS, while cisplatin-based combination therapy showed the most favorable outcomes in terms of OS. The results of subgroup analyses for overall survival (OS) showed that the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy yielded positive outcomes in specific subgroups. These subgroups were characterized by PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) of 50 % or higher, usage of anti-PD-1 medications, age below 65, male gender, smoking history, and non-squamous cell carcinoma histology. Superior effectiveness was demonstrated only in extending the progression-free survival (PFS) of female patients and patients with squamous carcinoma. Meanwhile, other patient cohorts did not show the same level of improvement. Tislelizumab, camrelizumab or pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy may be the optimal first-line treatment strategies for NSCLC.

Background: Limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) is a highly aggressive tumor characterized by a poor prognosis. While concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) remains the standard treatment, the high rates of recurrence and poor long-term survival highlight the pressing need for novel therapeutic approaches. Purpose: In recent years, the introduction of immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has opened new avenues for the treatment of LS-SCLC. This review highlights the clinical advancements of ICIs in CCRT, consolidation therapy, and neoadjuvant therapy, emphasizing their potential to improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). This review also discusses management of immunotherapy-related side effects. Research Design: This is a review article that synthesizes recent research findings on immunotherapy for LS-SCLC. Study Sample: Not applicable (review of existing literature). Data Collection and/or Analysis: This review summarizes key studies exploring the application of immunotherapy in limited-stage small cell lung cancer.Additionally, it examines the role of the tumor microenvironment, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1(PD-L1) as biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Results: This review emphasizes their potential to improve PFS and OS. Conclusions: Despite the significant advancements in research, the use of ICIs in LS-SCLC continues to face challenges, including the identification of optimal treatment regimens, validation of long-term efficacy, and development of personalized predictive biomarkers. Future research should prioritize large-scale, multicenter clinical trials to refine combination therapy strategies, establish customized treatment approaches, and enhance patient outcomes.

This study aimed to explore advances in biomarkers related to anti-angiogenic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), thereby enhancing treatment selection, advancing personalized and precision medicine to improve treatment outcomes and patient survival rates. This article reviews key discoveries in predictive biomarkers for anti-angiogenic therapy in NSCLC in recent years, such as (1) liquid biopsy predictive biomarkers: studies have identified activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs) via liquid biopsy as potential predictive biomarkers for the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy; (2) imaging biomarkers: advanced imaging technologies, such as dynamic contrast-enhanced integrated magnetic resonance positron emission tomography (MR-PET), are used to assess tumor angiogenesis in patients with NSCLC and evaluate the clinical efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs; (3) genetic predictive biomarkers: research has explored polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), as well as how plasma levels of VEGF-A can predict the outcomes and prognosis of patients with non-squamous NSCLC undergoing chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab. Despite progress in identifying biomarkers related to anti-angiogenic therapy, several challenges remain, including limitations in clinical trials, heterogeneity in NSCLC, and technical hurdles. Future research will require extensive clinical validation and in-depth mechanistic studies to fully exploit the potential of these biomarkers for personalized treatment.

Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I deficiency is one of common mitochondrial disorders. However, the information is relatively little about the features of Chinese patients. In this study, the clinical, biological, and genetic analyses were performed in the children with respiratory chain complex I deficiency, in order to further understand the characteristics of the disease. Over a 3-year period, 67 patients (37 boys, 30 girls), presenting with unexplained multisystemic symptoms and signs were recruited. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were summarized. Spectrophotometric assay was used for the analysis of mitochondrial complex I-V enzyme activity in peripheral leukocytes. The entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence was analysed for patients and their mothers. The children with respiratory chain complex I deficiency presented with multisystem dysfunction. Onset occurred before the third year of life in 96.9% patients without mtDNA mutation. Onset occurred before the third year of life in 76.5% of patients with mtDNA mutation (P = .03). About 51.5% of patients without mtDNA mutation had weakness, which is higher than 24% patients with mtDNA mutation (P = .02). Isolated complex I deficiency and combined complex I deficiency were found in 45 and 22 patients, respectively. The prevalence of isolated complex I deficiency was higher in the patients with mtDNA mutations (79.4%) than in the patients without mtDNA mutations (54.5%). Patients with nuclear DNA mutations are more likely to develop early onset in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I deficiency. The patients with complex I deficiency of peripheral leukocytes may be more likely to be caused by mtDNA mutation.