Search Results (2,626)

Background: Cancer-associated thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in oncology patients. Routinely available hematological parameters, including platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), may reflect thrombo-inflammatory alterations accompanying thrombotic events in malignancy. Methods: This retrospective exploratory study included 93 patients with solid malignancies who developed radiologically confirmed thrombotic events between 2006 and 2018. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively reviewed. Hematological parameters obtained within seven days before and after thrombotic events were compared using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Results: Thrombotic events were most frequently observed in patients with lung, colorectal, breast, and gastric cancers. Gastrointestinal malignancies accounted for 47.3% of cases. Venous thrombotic events represented the majority of cases (63.4%), whereas arterial thrombosis was observed in a smaller subset of patients (10.7%). Pulmonary embolism was identified in 23.7% of patients. Central venous catheter use was significantly associated with subclavian/femoral vein thrombosis (p < 0.001). PLT significantly decreased following thrombotic events (329.3 × 10³/µL vs. 260.8 × 10³/µL, p < 0.001), whereas MPV increased modestly (9.23 ± 1.57 fL vs. 9.40 ± 1.45 fL, p < 0.001). PDW significantly decreased (14.37 ± 2.78 vs. 13.63 ± 3.24, p = 0.011). NLR increased numerically (3.33 ± 2.32 vs. 4.26 ± 4.74) but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.089). An inverse correlation was observed between PLT and MPV (r = −0.268, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Routinely available hematological parameters, including PLT, MPV, PDW, and NLR, demonstrated measurable alterations in cancer patients with thrombotic events and may reflect thrombo-inflammatory processes associated with malignancy. However, because of the retrospective design, heterogeneous study population, and absence of a non-thrombotic control group, these findings should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating rather than evidence of predictive biomarkers. Larger prospective controlled studies are required to clarify their clinical significance. Full article

Introduction: Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is a targeted agent for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, which combines the anti-tumor activity of trastuzumab with the cytotoxic effect of DM1, a microtubule inhibitor. Although T-DM1 has improved outcomes in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, portal hypertension may occur during treatment in the absence of overt cirrhosis on liver biopsy. These clinical and pathological features are consistent with porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD). This study aimed to summarize the reported clinical, biochemical, imaging, histological, therapeutic, and prognostic features of T-DM1-associated PSVD. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were searched for published cases of T-DM1-associated PSVD. Given the evolving terminology of PSVD, related terms, including non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and nodular regenerative hyperplasia, were also included in the search strategy. If the patient has a recorded history of T-DM1 exposure and the liver biopsy results meet PSVD criteria, the case is included regardless of whether there is clinical, endoscopic, or imaging evidence of portal hypertension. Cases without liver biopsy or with features suggestive of overt cirrhosis were excluded. Patient-level data were extracted and descriptively summarized, including demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, biochemical indicators, imaging examination results, liver biopsy results, treatment methods, and prognosis. Unreported data were considered missing values and were not imputed. Results: Seven eligible articles comprising eight patients were identified. All patients were female, with a mean age of 60.38 years and a median age of 62.50 years. The interval from T-DM1 initiation to PSVD diagnosis ranged from 6 to 30 months. When reported, the mean interval from treatment initiation to symptom onset was 18.3 months. Thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly were observed in 7 of 8 patients. Mild elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed in all patients. Liver biopsy showed thinned and disorganized hepatic plates accompanied by nodular regeneration of hepatocytes in six patients. Clinical improvement was observed after discontinuation or modification of T-DM1 in most cases. Conclusions: T-DM1-associated PSVD is a rare but clinically significant complication that may develop months after treatment initiation. It commonly presents with thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, gastrointestinal bleeding, or mild liver biochemical abnormalities in the absence of overt cirrhosis. Early recognition of unexplained platelet decline, splenic enlargement, or portal hypertension-related findings during T-DM1 therapy may facilitate timely diagnosis and individualized management. Withdrawal or modification of the suspected drug may contribute to clinical improvement, although further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism and optimal management strategy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+), epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2−) breast carcinoma (BC) patients receive frontline therapy with cyclin-dependent tyrosine kinase 4/6 inhibitors + endocrine therapy (ET). At progression, the best management includes mutational analysis for ESR-1, allowing second-line therapy with elacestrant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of elacestrant in an Italian real-world setting. Methods: A multicenter, observational study with a mixed retrospective and prospective design was conducted in 13 medical oncology units across Italy. The study population included adult patients with HR+/HER2− locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with an activating ESR1 mutation documented by liquid biopsy and progressing after at least one line of endocrine therapy containing a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Mutational analysis of plasma was performed using next-generation sequencing with a multigene panel that included ESR1, PIK3CA, AKT, and PTEN. The sample size was calculated according to the two-stage Simon design. Toxicity was classified according to CTCAE version 5.0 criteria. Survival analyses were conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: At the time of analysis, 39 evaluable patients were enrolled, all female and Caucasian, with a median age of 67 years (range 41–89). The efficacy analysis documented an overall ORR of 28% and a disease control rate of 56%. The median duration of response was 6+ months (95% CL: 3.5–10.6 m). Median overall survival was not reached with a median follow-up of 10 months. The toxicity profile was overall favorable: grade ≥2 asthenia was the most frequent adverse event (23%), followed by gastrointestinal toxicity, which was generally mild. No treatment-related toxicity was reported in 64% of patients. Dose reductions were necessary in 15% of cases, while permanent treatment discontinuation due to toxicity occurred in only 4%. Conclusions: The results of this Italian multicenter observational study confirm the efficacy and tolerability of elacestrant in HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer with ESR1 mutation, in a real-world context consistent with the data from the pivotal EMERALD study and with real-world data present in the literature. Full article

The aim of this review is to provide a narrative analysis of the role of Lactobacillus acidophilus as an active modulating factor in the prevention and treatment of cancer and allergic diseases. The paper discusses the molecular, metabolic, and bionanotechnological mechanisms of Lactobacillus acidophilus’s anticancer and immunomodulatory effects, which define this probiotic as an essential component of modern natural and functional medicine. A narrative review of the scientific literature was conducted, mainly from 2019–2026, focusing on the results of in vitro studies and studies on preclinical in vivo models, which analyzed the effect of live L. acidophilus strains, tyndallized bacteria (paraprobiotics) and cell-free supernatant from L. acidophilus cultures on, among others, immune system signaling pathways, tissue cytokine profile, and the integrity of the gastrointestinal epithelial cell barrier (enterocytes). Results indicate that L. acidophilus exerts significant antiallergic, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic effects against many types of cancer. Among other aspects, the ability of L. acidophilus to stimulate the production of anticancer exopolysaccharides and short-chain fatty acids, which directly influence the functioning of immune cells, is covered. The article thoroughly explains the immunomodulatory effects of L. acidophilus and the ability of this probiotic to regulate cytokine profiles, which helps promote an anti-inflammatory environment crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The article also discusses the direct interaction of L. acidophilus with immune cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, which leads to their activation and subsequent influence on the differentiation of T lymphocytes, which play a key role in the regulation of immune processes and in the development of immune tolerance. L. acidophilus is a universal mediator of immunological and metabolic homeostasis. Its ability to synergize with conventional therapies (chemotherapy, oncolytic virotherapy) and its innovative applications in the creation of postbiotics and paraprobiotics may provide a new approach to the treatment of inflammatory, allergic, and neoplastic diseases. Further clinical studies are necessary to assess the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose of this probiotic, which are essential for the widespread use of L. acidophilus in human therapy. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic immune-mediated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by alternating periods of disease activity and remission with a complex multifactorial pathogenesis. Persistent intestinal inflammation in IBD is a key driver of disease progression and is strongly associated with the development of complications such as dysplasia, colorectal cancer (CRC), intestinal strictures, and fistulas. It may also result in changes in anorectal function, identifiable and classifiable using high-resolution anorectal manometry. Histologic and endoscopic assessments are essential for the evaluation of intestinal inflammation. Cumulative inflammatory burden (CIB) is an important concept that quantifies inflammatory exposure in IBD over time by integrating the severity and duration of histologic inflammation across the disease course, highlighting the importance of long-term inflammatory activity in the development of CRC. Histologic healing may be an important therapeutic target in IBD to reduce the risk of long-term complications. In parallel, emerging precision medicine approaches aim to improve risk stratification and enable early, individualized interventions to reduce disease-related outcomes. Endoscopy also plays a fundamental role in monitoring high-risk patients and guiding treatment decisions. This review aims to characterize the main intestinal complications extending beyond the mucosa that are associated with cumulative chronic inflammation in patients with IBD, including dysplasia, CRC, strictures, fistulas, and anorectal dysfunction in an era increasingly focused on achieving complete mucosal healing. Particular attention is drawn to the significant role of persistent histologic and endoscopic inflammation in disease progression and development of complications, highlighting the specific features and associated risk factors of these disease-related outcomes. Throughout, this review emphasizes the fundamental role of endoscopy in the timely detection, monitoring, and therapeutic management of IBD-related complications, thereby reinforcing its role in comprehensive patient care. Full article

Background: Evidence suggests dMMR/MSI-H gastric cancer patients respond better to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) than to chemotherapy, but recent trials have not consistently shown this benefit in subgroup analyses. It remains unclear whether improved the pathological response translates into survival benefit. This study compares pathological response and survival outcomes between neoadjuvant immunotherapy regimens (ICI monotherapy, ICI plus chemotherapy, or dual ICIs; group A) and chemotherapy alone (group B) in locally advanced dMMR/MSI-H gastric cancer. Methods: Between January 2020 and December 2025, 24 patients undergoing surgery were enrolled—14 in group A and 10 in group B. The primary endpoints were major pathological response (MPR), pathological complete response (pCR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). A meta-analysis integrating our cohort with external studies was conducted to strengthen the evidence base. Results: In our cohort, compared with group B, group A appeared to have higher rates of MPR (85.7% vs. 20%) and pCR (42.9% vs. 0%). EFS and OS in group A improved numerically (EFS: p = 0.10; OS: p = 0.12). Surgical outcomes and treatment-related adverse events were not different between the two groups. Pooled analyses implied consistent improvements in MPR (RR = 4.09) and pCR (RR = 5.38). Additionally, reconstructed individual survival data suggested that group A might have better EFS (p = 0.034) while OS (p = 0.890) showed little difference. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy-based regimens might show some enhancements in treatment response rates and EFS compared with chemotherapy alone, which may imply their therapeutic potential in this molecularly defined patient population. Full article

Background/Objectives: White–Sutton syndrome (WHSUS; OMIM 616364) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the POGZ gene and characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, speech impairment, autism spectrum features, and dysmorphic traits. Although most reported cases are sporadic, inherited forms are exceptionally rare. We describe a familial case of WHSUS involving an affected mother and two children carrying a heterozygous POGZ nonsense variant, highlighting marked intra-familial phenotypic variability and expanding the clinical spectrum of the disorder. Methods: Clinical evaluation included multidisciplinary assessments. Genetic testing was performed using clinical exome sequencing (CES) with a virtual neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) gene panel, followed by Sanger confirmation and segregation analysis in family members. The POGZ transcript reference NM_015100.3 was used for variant nomenclature and verified with the Mutalyzer tool. CNV detection from NGS data was performed using the Alissa CNV caller (Agilent) and visualized via IGV; the Xp11.22 microduplication was confirmed by chromosomal microarray (aCGH) and parental segregation analyses. Results: CES identified the heterozygous pathogenic POGZ variant c.1522C>T (p.Arg508*) in the female proband (III₆), an infant presenting with global developmental delay, hypotonia, speech impairment, gait abnormalities, and characteristic dysmorphic features. Segregation analysis demonstrated maternal inheritance and confirmed the presence of the variant in her affected brother (III₄), who also carries a de novo 1.79 kb microduplication at Xp11.22, while the maternal grandparents tested negative, indicating a de novo origin in the mother. The mother exhibited an attenuated phenotype, including mild neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal manifestations. The variant is predicted to undergo nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), consistent with a moderate clinical presentation; however, experimental validation was not performed. Conclusions: This report documents a rare familial occurrence of WHSUS with highly variable expressivity. Our findings broaden the phenotypic and molecular characterization of POGZ-related disorders and emphasize the importance of comprehensive segregation studies and early genomic diagnosis. While experimental data link POGZ deficiency to DNA repair defects, no longitudinal clinical studies have demonstrated increased cancer risk in WHSUS; therefore, formal malignancy screening guidelines cannot be established at present, and this issue deserves future study in larger cohorts or registries. Full article

Supportive care is essential during chemotherapy for head and neck cancer, yet the role of traditional Japanese medicine (kampo) remains unclear; therefore, we investigated whether Ninjin’yoeito (NYT) could reduce adverse events during cisplatin-based chemotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients treated between June 2022 and June 2024, dividing them into an NYT group and a control group. Hematological toxicities, including decreases in white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin, and platelets, as well as gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, were evaluated. Compared with controls, patients receiving NYT showed significantly lower incidences of decreased white blood cell counts (p = 0.04), decreased hemoglobin levels (p = 0.03), and gastrointestinal disorders (p = 0.04). Trends toward reduced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were also observed, although these did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that NYT may help mitigate hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. However, given the retrospective design and limited sample size, prospective studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of NYT in this setting. Full article

The gut microbiota is increasingly examined as a therapeutic target because it contributes to epithelial barrier integrity, microbial metabolite production, bile acid transformation, immune regulation, and communication between the gut and distant organs. This structured narrative review synthesizes evidence on microbiota involvement in metabolic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, cancer, and neuroimmune conditions, including MASLD/MASH, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, colorectal cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder. Across these conditions, microbiome findings are biologically plausible but heterogeneous. Many associations are shaped by diet, geography, medication exposure, host genetics, disease stage, sampling methods, and analytical pipelines. Microbial alterations should therefore be interpreted as context-dependent signals and candidate modifiers rather than universal causal markers. Conventional microbiota targeted strategies include diet, physical activity, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. These approaches are clinically familiar, but their effects are often broad, host specific, strain dependent, and difficult to assign to one mechanism. Fecal microbiota transplantation has the clearest clinical role in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, while evidence for most other indications remains inconsistent. Engineered microbial therapeutics offer greater experimental precision through signal sensing, payload delivery, metabolic modulation, and genetic circuit design. However, most evidence remains preclinical or early translational. Progress requires stronger human trials, standardized methods, mechanistic validation, safety monitoring, ecological containment, transparent reporting, and proportionate regulation. Full article

Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) shape epithelial and immune homeostasis, yet systemic SCFA profiles may diverge from gut microbial composition due to absorption and host metabolism. We quantified fasting serum SCFAs in 36 surgically resected colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 20 cancer-free controls using targeted high-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, and integrated these data with fecal and serum bacterial DNA profiles generated by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and functional inference. CRC was associated with a distinct circulating SCFA pattern: total SCFAs and acetate were increased, branched SCFAs were higher, and butyrate and valerate were lower relative to controls. Despite this clear systemic signature, associations between serum SCFAs and the relative abundance (RA) of putative SCFA-producing genera were sparse and inconsistent across CRC and control groups, both when considering fecal producers and serum-detected taxa. Interestingly, the total RA of SCFA-producing genera was higher in controls in feces but higher in CRC in serum, further supporting compartment-specific decoupling. Finally, several circulating SCFAs showed inverse associations with indicators of tumor progression within CRC. These results motivate integrative microbiota–metabolite studies and validation in larger cohorts to clarify how circulating SCFAs relate to gastrointestinal disease biology and immune regulation. Full article

Background: The association between oral health and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers has been primarily investigated within a periodontitis-centered framework. However, the potential contribution of cumulative oral disease burden, including dental caries and apical pathology, remains insufficiently explored. The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index reflects lifetime exposure to oral microbial dysbiosis and chronic inflammation. Methods: This retrospective exploratory study included patients with GI cancers referred for perioperative oral screening and management at a tertiary care center between 2015 and 2025. Oral health was evaluated using the DMFT index, periodontal probing depth, and radiographically diagnosed apical periodontitis. Age-stratified DMFT and periodontal parameters were compared with national reference data, while apical periodontitis prevalence was descriptively assessed. Results: Patients with GI cancers demonstrated higher DMFT values than national averages across most adult age groups. The prevalence of periodontal pockets (≥4 mm and ≥6 mm) was also elevated. Apical periodontitis was common, affecting 46.3% of patients, with some age groups exceeding 50%. Overall, these findings indicate oral disease clustering with coexisting chronic oral conditions. Conclusions: Patients with GI cancers exhibit substantial oral disease burden, including increased caries experience, periodontal pathology, and apical lesions. These findings suggest that the oral–gastrointestinal cancer relationship may extend beyond a periodontitis-centered paradigm, and that cumulative oral disease burden—including cariogenic processes—may represent an underrecognized component of this axis. The DMFT index may serve as a surrogate marker of lifelong oral inflammatory exposure. While causal relationships cannot be established, this study provides a basis for future mechanistic and longitudinal investigations. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Thyroid cancer is increasing, particularly the differentiated type, with decreasing incidence of the anaplastic type. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare, aggressive, and often lethal form. It frequently presents with metastatic disease, regional and systemic, with common distant metastasis to the lung, bone, brain, and adrenal, and rarely to other places; Case presentation: A 74-year-old Arab male presented with symptomatic anemia and melena and was admitted for investigation of the cause. The patient was found to have a large retrosternal goiter and gastric tumor. CT scan showed a pedunculated, nonobstructive mass, suggestive of a GIST or leiomyoma. The neck mass presented with compressive symptoms. He underwent a combined neck and abdominal surgical resection based on a multidisciplinary team decision, as prior biopsies were not conclusive. The final pathology report identified similar tumors in the two specimens and suggested an anaplastic thyroid carcinoma as the primary tumor with metastasis to the stomach. Furthermore, the workup, including a PET scan 2 weeks post-surgery, revealed widespread metastases in the bone, lung, and liver, and the treatment was palliative. He was followed up in the outpatient clinic for 4 and a half months post-operatively. The patient developed sepsis and cardiopulmonary arrest and died; Conclusions: ATC can metastasize to many places in the body, including the stomach (as shown in our case), which can cause significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. Metastatic ATC carries a poor prognosis; thus, physicians need to keep a high index of suspicion in approaching similar cases. A multidisciplinary approach for the management is of utmost importance for appropriate treatment. This disease’s pathology, behavior, and targeted new treatment modalities must be explored further. Full article

Critically ill obese patients with gynecological cancer represent a high-risk population with complex nutritional needs. Although excess adiposity may suggest adequate energy reserves, it often conceals sarcopenia, micronutrient deficiencies, and functional malnutrition, contributing to impaired wound healing, immune dysfunction, prolonged mechanical ventilation, increased susceptibility to infections, and adverse oncologic outcomes. Obesity-associated inflammation, insulin resistance, and tumor-driven catabolism further exacerbate metabolic stress and complicate nutritional management in the intensive care setting. Accurate nutritional assessment requires a multimodal approach incorporating body composition analysis, functional measures, and laboratory parameters, as conventional indices such as body mass index may underestimate nutritional risk. Nutritional support should be individualized and may include early enteral nutrition to preserve gut integrity, supplemental or total parenteral nutrition when gastrointestinal function is compromised, high-protein regimens, and targeted micronutrient replacement. Immunonutrition, including arginine, glutamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides, has emerged as a promising strategy to modulate inflammation, enhance immune function, and support tissue repair. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, nutritional assessment, enteral and parenteral nutrition, and immunonutrition in obese critically ill patients with gynecological cancer. It highlights the challenges associated with sarcopenic obesity and hidden malnutrition while providing a clinically relevant overview for intensivists, gynecologic oncologists, surgeons, and nutrition specialists. Early recognition of nutritional risk and implementation of individualized multimodal nutritional strategies may improve recovery and clinical outcomes. However, high-quality ICU-specific studies remain limited, and further prospective research is needed to establish evidence-based nutritional protocols and evaluate their impact on survival, treatment tolerance, and quality of life in this vulnerable population. Full article

Eggplant is a crop of significant global importance. However, strict selection criteria generate large amounts of biomass that contain hydrophilic bioactive compounds. These compounds are associated with the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer. This research aimed to explore the valorization of eggplant biomass through microencapsulation of hydrophilic extracts to enhance stability and evaluate the biological potential. Additionally, the study assessed the effects of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and permeability. Optimization of the microencapsulation process determined ideal parameters: inlet temperature (175 °C), pressure (0.15 MPa), and extract amount (1.15 g), which maximized response variables: %EE (67.06), %Y (66.09), and %RPC (88.84). After in vitro gastrointestinal simulation, the microparticles showed increased TRC (29.32%) and TEAC (112%) values. The UPLC-MS-TQ chromatographic profile of both the free extract and the microencapsulate before and after digestion confirmed the presence of phenolic acids, including chlorogenic, quinic, caffeic, and ferulic. In the in vitro permeability test, only quinic acid was found on the basolateral side. Finally, viability assays on FHC cells showed that DM was not cytotoxic; meanwhile, an antiproliferative effect was observed in HCT 116 cells, with IC₅₀ values in DE and DM (2.47 and 8.79 mg/mL) after 48 h. Full article

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, particularly colorectal, gastric, and liver cancers, account for a major global burden of incidence and mortality and remain important targets for genetic susceptibility research. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate gene expression and are increasingly studied in carcinogenesis. Numerous case–control studies have investigated associations between lncRNA polymorphisms and cancer risk, but findings are inconsistent. This study systematically evaluated the association between lncRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and GI cancer susceptibility. Methods: A systematic literature search from Embase, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases identified 174 potentially extractable studies. Eligible studies were case–control or cross-sectional studies published up to 8 May 2026; case reports, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. After screening for identical cancer type, identical SNP, and sufficient statistical data, only variants supported by at least three independent case–control studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Seven SNPs across six lncRNAs, comprising 23 studies (15,131 cases and 20,969 controls), were selected. Because of the limited number of eligible studies, subgroup analyses could not be performed consistently. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed under allelic, dominant, and recessive genetic models using fixed- or random-effects models according to heterogeneity. Results: In the primary analyses restricted to homogenous Chinese populations, H19 rs3024270 was significantly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma under allelic (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05–1.42, p = 0.01) and dominant models (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.45, p = 0.02). Exploratory analyses including mixed populations identified additional associations, with the strongest observed for MEG3 rs7158663 and colorectal cancer, showing significant risk elevation under allelic (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.25–1.63, p < 0.00001), dominant (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20–1.68, p < 0.0001), and recessive models (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.46–2.68, p < 0.0001). PRNCR1 rs16901946 showed a significant association with gastric cancer under the dominant model (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02–1.41, p = 0.03), while GAS5 rs145204276 demonstrated a recessive-model association with gastric cancer (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16–1.46, p < 0.0001). In contrast, GAS5 rs145204276 in colorectal cancer; H19 rs2839698 and MALAT1 rs619586 in hepatocellular carcinoma yielded heterogeneous or unstable pooled estimates. Findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited number of studies, heterogeneity, and potential publication bias. Conclusions: Among the primary analyses, H19 rs3024270 showed the most consistent association with HCC susceptibility. Exploratory analyses identified candidate variants, including MEG3 rs7158663, PRNCR1 rs16901946, and GAS5 rs145204276. Population-specific effects and study heterogeneity remain important limitations. PROSPERO registration number for this study: CRD42023389742. Full article