Plasma proteomic profiling of gastric cancer: Super minimally invasive surgery <i>vs</i> organ-resection on trauma immunity
World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2026
Yuan Y., Chen Q., Xiao P., Li H., Lv K., Tian S., Shi H., Hao J., Yan Y., Linghu E.
| Disease area | Application area | Sample type | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
Oncology Surgical Complications | Pathophysiology | Plasma |  Olink Target 96 |
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Gastric cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and surgery remains the cornerstone of curative treatment. However, the extent of surgical resection may significantly influence postoperative immune and inflammatory responses, which are closely related to recovery and complication rates.
AIM
To compare the effects of super minimally invasive surgery (SMIS) and organ-resection surgery (ORS) for gastric cancer on postoperative immune and inflammatory responses.
METHODS
This prospective study included patients with gastric cancer who underwent SMIS or conventional ORS between May 2023 and April 2024. Peripheral blood samples were collected one day preoperatively and on the third postoperative day. Plasma levels of 92 trauma- and immunity-related proteins were quantified using the Olink proteomic platform. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) before and after surgery were identified within each group, and comparative analyses were performed to assess immune-inflammatory alterations between SMIS and ORS.
RESULTS
A total of 38 patients were included: 20 in the SMIS group and 18 in the ORS group. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups (all P > 0.05). Proteomic analysis identified 13 DEPs after SMIS and 37 DEPs after ORS. Nine DEPs were shared between the surgical models (TMPRSS15, CNTN2, HPGDS, PLXDC1, NPPC, CA14, calcitonin, platelet-derived growth factor C, and nitric oxide synthase). Among these, calcitonin, platelet-derived growth factor C, and nitric oxide synthase showed the most prominent postoperative upregulation, particularly after ORS, indicating a stronger trauma-related immune response than SMIS.
CONCLUSION
SMIS for gastric cancer was associated with a reduced postoperative immune-inflammatory response and lower trauma-related protein expression than ORS, suggesting better immune preservation and lower surgical stress.