In this editorial, we comment on the article ( 2024; 16: 1236-1247), which is a retrospective study of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we focus specifically on the mechanisms of this triple therapy, administration sequence and selection of each medication, and implications for future clinical trials. Based on the interaction mechanisms between medications, the triple therapy of TACE + TKI + PD-1 is proposed to complement the deficiency of each monotherapy, and achieve synergistic antitumor effects. Although this triple therapy has been evaluated by several retrospective trials, it is still controversial whether the triple therapy achieves better clinical benefits, due to the flawed study design and heterogeneity in medications. In addition, the administration sequence, which may greatly affect the clinical benefit, needs to be fully considered at clinical decision-making for obtaining better prognosis. We hope that this editorial could contribute to the design and optimization of future trials.

Hyperplastic polyps, which represent 30%-93% of all gastric epithelial polyps, are the second most common type of gastric polyps after fundic gland polyps. They were previously considered to have no risk of neoplastic transformation. Recently, an increasing number of cases of gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) combined with neoplastic changes have been reported; however, the specific mechanism underlying their transformation has not been thoroughly explored.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the leading diagnosed malignancy worldwide, especially in China. Radical surgery is the cornerstone of GC treatment. We reviewed previous clinical trials and aimed to provide an update on the factors related to the surgical treatment of GC. The number of registered clinical trials in the field of GC surgery is rapidly increasing. With the development and popularization of endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques, GC surgery has gradually entered a new era of precise minimally invasive surgery. Postoperative quality of life has become a major issue in addition to surgical oncological safety. Although great progress has been made in clinical research on GC in China, there are still deficiencies. Many studies enrolled large numbers of patients, but the research data were not of high quality. The characteristics of GC in China include a high incidence, large population, and large proportion of patients with advanced GC, which provides sufficient reason for studying this disease. There is still a need for well-designed, large, randomized clinical trials to improve our knowledge of the surgical treatment of GC.

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal system. Overall, CC had the third highest incidence but the second highest mortality rate globally in 2020. Nowadays, CC is mainly treated with capecitabine chemotherapy regimen, supplemented by radiotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, but there are still limitations, so Chinese medicine plays an important role.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a highly aggressive bile duct cancer, is associated with late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options, leading to poor patient outcomes. Early detection and personalized treatment strategies are crucial. The study by Wang highlights the prognostic potential of the PEA3 subfamily genes (, , and ) in CCA, identifying ETV4 as a particularly promising biomarker. Their bioinformatic analysis revealed that elevated expression correlates with poorer survival, positioning it as a strong indicator of disease progression. These findings suggest that ETV4 could enhance prognostic precision and guide personalized therapies, although further validation through large-scale clinical trials is essential. Challenges in clinical application include the need for comprehensive experimental validation and addressing the tumor heterogeneity in CCA. Future research should focus on validating these biomarkers in diverse cohorts and developing targeted therapies, especially in regions where CCA is endemic.

For primary liver cancer, the key to conversion therapy depends on the effectiveness of drug treatment. Patient-derived tumor organoids have been demonstrated to improve the efficacy of conversion therapy by identifying individual-targeted effective drugs, but their clinical effects in liver cancer remain unknown.

Genetic screening for breast cancer gene 1 ()/ mutations can inform breast/ovarian/pancreatic cancer patients of suitable therapeutic interventions. Four to seven percent of pancreatic cancer patients have germline mutations. genes aid in DNA repair, especially homologous recombination, which impacts genomic stability and cancer cell growth. regulates the cell cycle, ubiquitination, and chromatin remodeling, whereas stimulates the immune response. They predict the efficacy of platinum chemotherapy or polymerase (PARP) inhibitors such as olaparib.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased in recent decades, and ranks fourth among males and third among females in China. Surgical resection remains the most important treatment modality for curative intent in CRC. Several studies found that surgeon volumes and specialization appeared to be associated with improved overall survival (OS). Moreover, numerous reports have suggested that specialization and minimally invasive surgery have gained increased popularity in CRC surgery. However, few studies have specifically examined the role and long-term survival of all stage CRC in a real-world study.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare and lethal malignancy; however, it represents the most common type of biliary tract cancer. Patients with GBC are often diagnosed at an advanced stage, thus, unfortunately, losing the opportunity for curative surgical intervention. This situation leads to lower quality of life and higher mortality rates. In recent years, the rapid development of endoscopic equipment and techniques has provided new avenues and possibilities for the early and minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of GBC. This editorial comments on the article by Pavlidis . Building upon their work, we explore the new needs and corresponding models for managing GBC from the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment perspective.

In this editorial, we comment on an article by Xu . This article describes a case of crawling-type gastric adenocarcinoma (CRA) distinguished by its rare occurrence and diagnostic complexity. We reviewed the detailed case-report findings showcasing clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of CRA that shed light on its elusive nature and challenges for early detection and treatment. This case underscored the significance of advanced diagnostic tools such as endoscopic submucosal dissection. Emphasis was placed on the molecular peculiarities of CRA, including the higher mutation rates of genes such as and and the notable absence of amplification, differentiating it from more conventional forms of gastric adenocarcinoma. In this editorial, we advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to effectively manage this rare subtype and highlight the necessity for precision in both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, a heightened awareness urging the adoption of advanced diagnostic techniques and collaborative approaches is necessary among clinicians and researchers. We aim to contribute to the ongoing discourse in gastrointestinal oncology, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing the complexities associated with rare cancer subtypes such as CRA.

In this article, an article published in the , which focuses on whether the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) affects the effectiveness of chemotherapy regimens, including bevacizumab, in treating patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Through neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bevacizumab inhibits tumor angiogenesis, impairing neovascularization and thereby depriving the tumor of essential nutrients and oxygen. Conversely, PD-L1 binding to VEGF receptor 2 promotes angiogenesis, supporting tumor vasculature. The interplay between these pathways complicates the assessment of bevacizumab's efficacy in cancer therapy, notably in CRC, where VEGF and PD-L1 significantly affect treatment response. This review examines metastatic CRC treatment strategies, focusing on bevacizumab's mechanism of action and the role of PD-L1 in this therapeutic context.

The relevant mechanism of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the treatment of colorectal cancer patients with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is discussed, and the application prospects of TAMs in reversing the treatment tolerance of ICIs are discussed to provide a reference for related studies. As a class of drugs widely used in clinical tumor immunotherapy, ICIs can act on regulatory molecules on cells that play an inhibitory role - immune checkpoints - and kill tumors in the form of an immune response by activating a variety of immune cells in the immune system. The sensitivity of patients with different types of colorectal cancer to ICI treatment varies greatly. The phenotype and function of TAMs in the colorectal cancer microenvironment are closely related to the efficacy of ICIs. ICIs can regulate the phenotypic function of TAMs, and TAMs can also affect the tolerance of colorectal cancer to ICI therapy. TAMs play an important role in ICI resistance, and making full use of this target as a therapeutic strategy is expected to improve the immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.

In this editorial we comment on the article by Xu . Gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) is a malignancy which arises from the gastric mucosa and encompasses heterogenous tumors with varying characteristics. There are two main classifications: Lauren's and the World Health Organization distinguishing the diverse types of GA depending on clinical, genetic, morphological and epidemiological features. "Crawling-type" adenocarcinoma (CRA) is a subtype characterized by irregularly fused glands with low-grade cellular atypia. Moreover, CRA represents differentiated tumor cells resembling intestinal metaplasia which results in misdiagnosis. The diagnosis is of utmost importance, as well as the subclassification and thorough pathological assessment. With regard to the symptoms of GA, these depend on the stage of the disease. Diagnostic methods play a crucial role in assessing the extent of the tumor and the stage of the disease. Nevertheless, early detection of CRA remains challenging due to its histological features. In summary, CRA is a distinct type of GA with particular clinicopathological and histological characteristics. Despite its significance, it not distinguished as a subtype, resulting in diagnostic challenges. Diagnosis is based on careful observation and thorough biopsy analysis, indicating the importance of comprehensive pathological assessment.

Aggressive primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PGINHL) is an uncommon and heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies, that differs from indolent lymphoma and has a high incidence of severe gastrointestinal complications (GICs).

This editorial reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 () in digestive system cancers based on two recent studies on lncRNAs in digestive system tumors. The first study, by Zhao , explored how hBD-1 affects colon cancer, the lncRNA , by inhibiting mTOR and promoting autophagy. The second one, by Li , identified the lncRNA prion protein testis specific () as a factor in oxaliplatin resistance by sponging ZNF184 to regulate HIPK2 and influence colorectal cancer progression and chemoresistance, suggesting as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Both of these two articles discuss the mechanisms by which lncRNAs contribute to the development and progression of digestive system cancers. As a recent research hotspot, is a typical lncRNA that has been extensively studied for its association with digestive system cancers. The prevailing hypothesis is that participates in the development and progression of digestive system tumors by acting as a competing endogenous RNA, interacting with other proteins, regulating various genes, and affecting downstream target molecules. This review systematically examines the recently reported biological functions, related molecular mechanisms, and potential clinical significance of in various digestive system cancers, and explores the relationship between and digestive system cancers. The findings suggest that may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for human digestive system cancers.

In recent studies, accumulating evidence has revealed a strong association between the inflammatory response and the prognosis of many tumors. There is a certain correlation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with the prognosis in gastric cancer (GC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). However, the existing research results have remained controversial.

The combination of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), lenvatinib, and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor has been widely used in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has achieved promising results. However, there are few studies comparing whether drug-eluting beads TACE (D-TACE) can bring more survival benefits to patients with large HCC compared to conventional TACE (C-TACE) in this triplet therapy.

This editorial reviews advances in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, focusing on a triple therapy approach and biomarker discovery. Zhang discuss the synergistic potential of transarterial chemoembolization combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors. Meanwhile, Li identify protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor II (PTPN2) as a biomarker for poor prognosis and immune evasion in HCC. The studies highlight the importance of combined therapies and biomarkers in improving HCC treatment efficacy and patient outcomes, with PTPN2 emerging as a potential therapeutic target. This article supplements the aforementioned studies with more recent research advancements, focusing on the molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of biomarkers.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a considerable global health issue. Dioscin, a compound found in several medicinal plants, has shown potential anticancer effects.

Trastuzumab-targeted therapy is currently the standard of care for advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric cancer. However, the emergence of resistance to trastuzumab poses significant challenges.

Gastric cancer (GC) endangers the survival and prognosis of patients worldwide. Improving the prognosis of patients with early GC (EGC) is crucial to prolong their survival time.