Influence of Obesity on Anastomotic Leakage After Anterior Rectal Resectionperformed Due to Cancer

Anterior resection for rectal cancer carries the risk of serious complications, especially fistulas at the site of anastomosis. Numerous factors have been shown to impact anastomotic leakage. The results of studies on the influence of obesity on the frequency of anastomotic leakage after rectal resection performed due to cancer have been contradictory. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and frequency of anastomotic leakage after anterior rectal resection performed due to cancer. Material and methods. This retrospective analysis included 222 subsequent patients who had undergone anterior resection due to cancer with an anastomosis formed with a mechanical suture. The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on their BMI quartile as follows: Group I, BMI 29.38 kg/m2 (upper quartile). Results. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 8 (3.6%) patients. Fistulas occurred in 4 out of 61 patients (6.56%) in group I, which was the highest incidence of fistulas for all 3 groups. In group II, fistulas occurred in 2 out of 55 patients (3.63%), and similarly, in group III, they occurred in 2 out of 106 patients (1.87%). The differences found in the frequency of fistulas between groups were not statistically significant (p=0.31). The logistic regression analysis did not show any relationship between leakage and age (p = 0.55; OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.95 - 1.1), sex (p = 0.97; OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.22 - 4.25) or BMI (p = 0.27; OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.22 - 1.53). Conclusions. The results of our study show that BMI did not have any influence on the frequency of anastomotic leakage after anterior rectal resection performed due to cancer

B7H3 Role in Reshaping Immunosuppressive Landscape in MSI and MSS Colorectal Cancer Tumours

The study aimed to assess the expression of B7H3 concerning clinicopathological and histological parameters, including MSI/MSS status, CD-8 cells, tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), budding, TNM scale and grading. Moreover, we analyzed the B7H3-related pathways using available online datasets and the immunological context of B7H3 expression, through the 48-cytokine screening panel of cancer tissues homogenates, immunogenic features and immune composition. The study included 158 patients diagnosed with CRC. To assess B7H3 levels, we performed an immunohistochemistry method (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To elucidate the immune composition of colorectal cancer, we performed the Bio-Plex Pro Human 48-cytokine panel. To study biological characteristics of B7H3, we used online databases. Expression of B7H3 was upregulated in CRC tumour tissues in comparison to adjacent noncancerous margin tissues. The concentrations of B7H3 in tumours were positively associated with T parameter of patients and negatively with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes score. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis showed that B7H3 expression in tumours correlated positively with cytokines associated with M2-macrophages and protumour growth factors. The expression of B7H3 in tumours was independent of MSI/MSS status. These findings will improve our understanding of B7H3 role in colorectal cancer immunity. Our study suggests that B7-H3 is a promising potential target for cancer therapy. Further studies must clarify the mechanisms of B7H3 overexpression and its therapeutic importance in colorectal cancer