Several studies have reported that tissue‐resident memory T cells (TRM cells) or tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are associated with a good prognosis. The aim of this study was to clarify the association of TRM cells and TLSs in the tumor immune microenvironment in gastric cancer (GC). We performed immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining to detect the presence of CD103+ T cells and to assess the association between CD103+ T cells and TLSs. CD103+ T cells were observed in the tumor epithelium accompanied by CD8+ T cells and were associated with a better prognosis in GC. Furthermore, CD103+ T cells were located around TLSs, and patients with CD103high had more rich TLSs. Patients who had both CD103high cells and who were TLS‐rich had a better prognosis than patients with CD103low cells and who were TLS‐poor. Moreover, for patients who received PD‐1 blockade therapy, CD103high and TLS‐rich predicted a good response. Flow cytometry was performed to confirm the characteristics of CD103+CD8+ T cells and showed that CD103+CD8+ T cells in GC expressed higher levels of PD‐1, granzyme B, and interferon‐γ than CD103−CD8+ T cells. Our results suggested that CD103+CD8+ cells in GC are correlated with TLSs, resulting in enhanced antitumor immunity in GC.

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Methylation statuses of these 2 CGIs were significantly associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis of ESCCs. These CGIs are promising markers to predict the presence of lymph node metastases.

Background: Although many studies have identified several inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers with prognostic value for patients with various types of cancer, the optimal markers and cutoff values for these markers remain obscure. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to identify optimal markers and their cutoffs. Methods: We compared prognostic values among established preoperative inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers in 225 patients who underwent R0 resection for stage III gastric cancer. Inflammationbased and/or nutritional markers comprised C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), and prognostic index (PI). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were analyzed to assess predictive ability and to determine the optimal cutoff values. Prognostic factors predicting overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that CAR and PLR cutoff values of 0.47 and 172, respectively, were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) (HR, 2.257; 95% CI, 1.180-4.319; p = 0.014 and HR, 1.478; 95% CI, 1.025-2.133; p = 0.037, respectively) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR, 2.771; 95% CI, 1.398-5.493; p = 0.004 and HR, 1.552; 95% CI, 1.029-2.341; p = 0.036, respectively). These results were different from those we previously reported in patients with stage II. Conclusions: Among inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers, CAR and PLR were independent prognostic factors of OS and CSS in patients with stage III gastric cancer. The optimal markers and their cutoff values should be determined in specific populations.

A case of esophageal tuberculosis presenting with an appearance similar to that of esophageal cancer is reported. The patient was an 82-year-old man with progressive dysphagia. Barium swallow and esophagoscopy revealed an elevated lesion with deep ulceration in the middle thoracic esophagus. Esophageal carcinoma, in particular, an undermining type of undifferentiated carcinoma, was suspected fluoroscopically and endoscopically. Histological examination of biopsy specimens revealed no malignancy, but there were epithelioid granulomas and a few Langhans' type multinucleated giant cells. Endoscopic ultrasonography clearly demonstrated an extramural lesion with calcification and direct infiltration of enlarged subcarinal lymph nodes into the esophageal wall. Ultrasonographic and histological findings indicated the possibility of esophageal tuberculosis. Although no bacteriological evidence was obtained, a therapeutic trial for tuberculosis, using antituberculous drugs, was started. After 2 weeks, the enlarged subcarinal lymph nodes were markedly reduced in size. The patient's symptoms improved gradually and had disappeared 8 weeks after he started treatment, when tubercle bacilli were isolated from sputum. A connection between the esophageal wall and its adjacent structures was clearly demonstrated by endoscopic ultrasonography. For patients with findings indicative of esophageal tuberculosis on endoscopic ultrasonography, a therapeutic trial for tuberculosis should be considered, even if polymerase chain reaction assay or culture is negative.