Tao Ji

Bio: Tao Ji is an academic researcher from Fuzhou University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sacrum & Aggregate (composite). The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 158 publications receiving 3103 citations. Previous affiliations of Tao Ji include University of California & Peking University.

Reconstruction with 3D-printed pelvic endoprostheses after resection of a pelvic tumour.

Abstract: Aims The aims of this retrospective study were to report the feasibility of using 3D-printing technology for patients with a pelvic tumour who underwent reconstruction. Patients and Methods A total of 35 patients underwent resection of a pelvic tumour and reconstruction using 3D-printed endoprostheses between September 2013 and December 2015. According to Enneking’s classification of bone defects, there were three Type I lesions, 12 Type II+III lesions, five Type I+II lesions, two Type I+II+III lesions, ten type I+II+IV lesions and three type I+II+III+IV lesions. A total of three patients underwent reconstruction using an iliac prosthesis, 12 using a standard hemipelvic prosthesis and 20 using a screw-rod connected hemipelvic prosthesis. Results All patients had an en bloc resection. Margins were wide in 15 patients, marginal in 14 and intralesional in six. After a mean follow-up of 20.5 months (6 to 30), 25 patients survived without evidence of disease, five were alive with disease and five had died from metastatic disease. Complications included seven patients with delayed wound healing and two with a dislocation of the hip. None had a deep infection. For the 30 surviving patients, the mean Musculoskeletal Society 93 score was 22.7 (20 to 25) for patients with an iliac prosthesis, 19.8 (15 to 26) for those with a standard prosthesis, and 17.7 (9 to 25) for those with a screw-rod connected prosthesis. Conclusion The application of 3D-printing technology can facilitate the precise matching and osseointegration between implants and the host bone. We found that the use of 3D-printed pelvic prostheses for reconstruction of the bony defect after resection of a pelvic tumour was safe, without additional complications, and gave good short-term functional results. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:267–75.

Reconstruction with modular hemipelvic prostheses for periacetabular tumor.

Abstract: Periacetabular resections for primary bone sarcoma and metastatic disease require reconstruction to restore weight-bearing along anatomic axes. We designed a modular hemipelvic prosthetic system to reconstruct the pelvis and evaluated the early clinical outcome of the prosthesis using 3-year survival rate, local recurrence rate, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 function score, and complications. We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients who had pelvic tumor resections and reconstructions using the new hemipelvic prostheses between 2001 and 2005. Sixteen (57.1%) patients had Types II and III (periacetabular and pubis) pelvic resections, seven had Types I and II (periacetabular and ilium) pelvic resections, and five had Type II (periacetabular) pelvic resection. Six patients with osteosarcoma had chemotherapy. None received radiation therapy. Patient survival status, function, and complications were evaluated at a mean followup of 30 months (range, 10-59 months). Fifteen patients were free of disease, eight patients died of disease, and five patients were alive with disease. The overall survival rate was 67.1% at 3 years. Twenty-five percent had local recurrence and 21% had metastasis. The mean MSTS 93 score was 60. Deep infection occurred in four patients; dislocation occurred in one patient. The results are encouraging because of the acceptable complication rate and satisfactory functional outcome.

Targeting EZH2 in cancer

Abstract: Recent genomic studies have resulted in an emerging understanding of the role of chromatin regulators in the development of cancer. EZH2, a histone methyl transferase subunit of a Polycomb repressor complex, is recurrently mutated in several forms of cancer and is highly expressed in numerous others. Notably, both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations occur in cancers but are associated with distinct cancer types. Here we review the spectrum of EZH2-associated mutations, discuss the mechanisms underlying EZH2 function, and synthesize a unifying perspective that the promotion of cancer arises from disruption of the role of EZH2 as a master regulator of transcription. We further discuss EZH2 inhibitors that are now showing early signs of promise in clinical trials and also additional strategies to combat roles of EZH2 in cancer.

Translational biology of osteosarcoma

Abstract: For the past 30 years, improvements in the survival of patients with osteosarcoma have been mostly incremental. Despite evidence of genomic instability and a high frequency of chromothripsis and kataegis, osteosarcomas carry few recurrent targetable mutations, and trials of targeted agents have been generally disappointing. Bone has a highly specialized immune environment and many immune signalling pathways are important in bone homeostasis. The success of the innate immune stimulant mifamurtide in the adjuvant treatment of non-metastatic osteosarcoma suggests that newer immune-based treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, may substantially improve disease outcome.