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To investigate the clinical outcomes of fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) placement in patients with malignant esophageal obstruction who survived longer than 6 months. From January 2002 to January 2018, 88 FCSEMS were placed in 64 patients (mean age 62.9 ± 11.6 years; 58 males) with inoperable malignant esophageal obstruction with or without esophago-respiratory fistula. Only patients who survived more than 6 months with FCSEMS in place were included. Data regarding technical and clinical success, complications, reinterventions, stent patency, and patient survival were obtained from a prospectively maintained hospital database. The technical and clinical success rates were 100 % (64/64). During follow-up, the median dysphagia score significantly improved (3.09 ± 0.68 to 1.05 ± 0.60, p < 0.001). The complication rate was 48.8 %. Multivariate analysis revealed that only longer stenting duration was associated with complications [hazard ratio = 1.220, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (1.074–2.760), p = 0.039]. The median follow-up duration was 257 days (range, 181–969). The median stent patency duration was 289 days [95% CI (209.9–368.1)]. The median survival was 254 days [95% CI (219.7–288.3)]. Our data suggest that esophageal FCSEMS placement is an effective option for patients with malignant dysphagia when survival longer than 6 months is expected. The rate of complications increases with time, and SEMS development is needed to keep up with the advancement in oncological treatment. Fully covered esophageal self-expandable stent placement is effective in patients surviving more than 6 months, however, the rate of complications also increases. SEMS development is needed to cope with the advancement in oncological treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, natural killer (NK)-based immunotherapy has attracted attention as a next-generation cell-based cancer treatment strategy due to its mild side effects and excellent therapeutic efficacy. Here, we describe multifunctional nanoparticles (MF-NPs) capable of genetically manipulating NK cells and tracking them in vivo through non-invasive magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence optical imaging. The MF-NPs were synthesized with a core-shell structure by conjugation of a cationic polymer labeled with a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecule, with the aid of a polydopamine (PDA) coating layer. When administered to NKs, the MF-NPs exhibited excellent cytocompatibility, efficiently delivered genetic materials into the immune cells, and induced target protein expression. In particular, the MF-NPs could induce the expression of EGFR targeting chimeric antigen receptors (EGFR-CARs) on the NK cell surface, which improved the cells' anti-cancer cytotoxic effect both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, when NK cells labeled with MF-NPs were injected into live mice, MF-NP–labeled NK cells could be successfully imaged using fluorescence and MR imaging devices. Our findings indicate that MF-NPs have great potential for application of NK cells, as well as other types of cell therapies involving genetic engineering and in vivo monitoring of cell trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]