MicroRNA-593-3p Expression in Peritoneal Lavage Fluid as a Prognostic Marker for Pancreatic Cancer Patients Undergoing Staging Laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

Some presumed resectable pancreatic cancer patients harbor radiographically occult metastases that are incidentally identified at the time of abdominal exploration. This study aims to identify novel diagnostic or predictive microRNA (miRNA) markers for subclinical peritoneal dissemination in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing abdominal exploration.

METHODS

Peritoneal lavage fluid samples were harvested from 74 patients with pancreatic cancer at the time of staging laparoscopy. Microarray analysis was performed using peritoneal lavage fluids with positive and negative cytology. Candidate microRNA expression was quantified and validated by droplet-digital PCR assays.

RESULTS

In the miRNA array analysis, miR-593-3p showed significant upregulation in peritoneal lavage fluids with positive cytology. Of the 74 patients validated, peritoneal lavage fluids with positive cytology had significantly higher expression of miR-593-3p than those with negative cytology (P < 0.001). Even in cases with no peritoneal dissemination and negative cytology, multivariate analysis revealed that elevated miR-593-3p expression was significantly correlated with worse overall survival than those with low expression (hazard ratio: 3.474, P = 0.042). Of the 48 patients who underwent pancreatectomy, multivariate analysis also demonstrated that higher expression of miR-593-3p in peritoneal lavage was the only significant poor prognostic marker influencing both overall survival (hazard ratio: 23.38, P = 0.005) and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 5.700, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated miR-593-3p expression in peritoneal lavage suggests the presence of subclinical micrometastasis even in cases with localized pancreatic cancer, and miR-593-3p could be a useful prognostic predictor for pancreatic cancer patients undergoing staging laparoscopy.

Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm arising in the cystic duct and extending into common bile duct: a case report

An 83-year-old man without specific symptoms was referred to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment of apparent double primary tumors of the cystic duct and common bile duct. Computed tomography showed contrast-enhanced solid tumors in the cystic duct and common bile duct. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the bile duct tumor was isointense on T1-weighted images and had low intensity on T2-weighted images. In addition, the bile duct tumor showed high intensity on diffusion-weighted images. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed the tumor of the common bile duct and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a filling defect in the bile duct. The cystic duct was not identified on endoscopic ultrasonography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Transpapillary biopsy of the bile duct tumor showed adenocarcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with double primary tumors of the cystic duct and the common bile duct and underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Microscopic examination with molecular profiling of the tumors revealed a high-grade noninvasive intracholecystic papillary neoplasm of the cystic duct extending into the common bile duct and forming a tubulopapillary neoplasm with invasion of the common bile duct.

[A Successful Case of Pancreaticoduodenectomy after Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Head Cancer with Acute Pancreatitis Due to Iatrogenic Injury of the Pancreatic Duct]

A 64-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of pancreatic head cancer with acute pancreatitis due to iatrogenic injury of the pancreatic duct during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In addition to a 28 mm pancreatic head tumor, soft tissue shadow and fluid collection surrounding the superior mesenteric artery(SMA)due to pancreatitis were observed in the abdominal CT scan. The tumor was histologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and S-1 was performed to control the progression of the pancreatic cancer and improve the inflammatory changes for reduction of the operative risk. After 2 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, abdominal CT scan revealed stable disease according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and attenuation of the inflammatory changes surrounding the SMA. Then, subtotal stomach- preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed without the difficulty of peeling around the SMA in spite of the old inflammatory changes. Histological examination of the resected specimen showed R0 resection. The patient was discharged 18 days after surgery without any complications and is surviving 9 months postoperatively without any recurrence. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was helpful for disease control and improvement of the inflammatory changes.

Prognostic impact of intraoperative peritoneal cytology after neoadjuvant therapy for potentially resectable pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is considered a potential approach to improve survival for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA). The objective of this study was to identify the clinical implications of washing peritoneal cytology (CY) status after NAT.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2016, 151 consecutive patients with resectable (R)/borderline resectable (BR) PA underwent NAT with intention of subsequent resection at our institution. Of them, 13 and 123 patients underwent pancreatectomies with positive (CY+) and negative (CY-) cytology, respectively, while the remaining 15 patients did not undergo resection due to gross metastases at laparotomy. The clinicopathological factors influencing overall survival were clarified by the uni- and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The postoperative overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were markedly worse in patients who underwent resection with CY+, compared with those who were CY- (median OS, 14.8 m vs 30.8 m, p = 0.026, and median DFS 6.0 m vs 15.1 m, p = 0.008). According to the resectability by NCCN guidelines, CY+ indicates worse prognosis than CY- in R-PA patients (mOS: 30.1 m vs 71.1 m: p = 0.080). Similarly, in BR-PA patients, CY+ showed the significantly worse prognosis than CY- (mOS: 13.8 m vs 24.5 m: p = 0.048), which prognosis is comparable with patients who did not undergo resection. The multivariate analysis revealed that resectability, CY status and the induction of adjuvant therapy were significant predictors of postoperative OS (p = 0.007: Hazard ratio 2.264, 0.040:2.094 and 0.002:3.246, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

CY+ is a significant predictor of poorer prognosis in PA patients after NAT. The subsequent pancreatectomies with CY+ after NAT do not contribute to prolonged survival.

[A Case of Initially Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Curatively Resected after Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy with Gemcitabine]

BACKGROUND

The neoadjuvant therapy against locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC)have been developed by combining radiation with chemotherapy. We experienced a case of LAPC performed R0 resection and obtained high histopathological effect by carbon-ion radiotherapy with gemcitabine(GEM).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old male with epigastric and back pain was suspected as pancreas cancer by FDG-PET/CT scan, and was referred to our hospital. CT scan revealed a tumor in pancreatic body with poor contrast effect and with invasion to celiac artery, common hepatic artery and portal vein, and diagnosed as pancreatic adenocarcinoma by endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA). Therefore we diagnosed the tumor as pancreatic body cancer, cT4, cN1a, cM0, cStage Ⅲ, UR-LA. GEM plus nab-paclitaxel(GnP)were administered for 4 months followed by carbon-ion radiotherapy with GEM at other hospital. Distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection(DP-CAR)was performed 3 months after irradiation. High therapeutic effect was obtained histopathologically( Evans grade Ⅲ), and lesions outside the pancreas disappeared except for metastasis to one lymph node (ypT1c, ypN1a, ycM0, ypStage ⅡB), and R0 resection was performed.

CONCLUSION

Carbon-ion radiotherapy with chemotherapy for LAPC may improve curative resection rate.

Staging laparoscopy is mandatory for the treatment of pancreatic cancer to avoid missing radiologically negative metastases

PURPOSE

Staging laparoscopy is considered useful for determining treatment plans for advanced pancreatic cancer. However, the indications for staging laparoscopy are not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of staging laparoscopy and its usefulness for detecting distant metastases in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A total of 146 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent staging laparoscopy between 2013 and 2019 were analyzed. Staging laparoscopy was performed in all pancreatic cancer patients in whom surgery was considered possible.

RESULTS

In this cohort, 42 patients (29%) were diagnosed with malignant cells on peritoneal lavage cytology, 9 (6%) had peritoneal dissemination, and 11 (8%) had liver metastases. A total of 48 (33%) had radiologically negative metastases. On a multivariate analysis, body and tail cancer [odds ratio (OR) 5.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.15-11.6, p < 0.001], high CA19-9 level [OR 4.04, 95% CI 1.74-9.38, p = 0.001], and a resectability status of unresectable (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.03-5.20, p = 0.04) were independent risk factors for radiologically negative metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Staging laparoscopy can be safely performed and is useful for the diagnosis of radiologically negative metastases. Staging laparoscopy should be routinely performed for the accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cancer patients before pancreatectomy and/or local treatment, such as radiotherapy.

Serum procalcitonin as an early diagnostic marker of severe postoperative complications after elective pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical utility of serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker for the severe postoperative complications associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

A total of 387 patients were enrolled and the PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were compared between the non-severe complications group (Clavien-Dindo classification Grade IIIb and lower) and severe complications (Grade IVa and higher).

RESULTS

Severe complications occurred in 16 patients. In the severe complications group, CRP levels peaked on postoperative day (POD) 3, whereas PCT levels peaked on POD 1. The PCT levels on PODs 1-5 were significantly higher in the severe complications group. Regarding the diagnostic performance, the PCT value on POD 2 higher than 2.1 ng/mL revealed the highest performance, with 66.7% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. Based on the postoperative kinetics and multivariate analysis, PCT and CRP both act independently of each other and the combination assay improved the diagnostic power (area under the curve 0.781; sensitivity 60.0%; specificity 85.6%). Preoperative biliary drainage was found to affect the perioperative PCT values and subgroup analysis stratified by the drainage procedure improved diagnostic sensitivity (~85%).

CONCLUSIONS

Procalcitonin in the early postoperative period can serve as an earlier detector for the development of severe complications after PD.

Short communication: Effect of yeast cell wall supplementation on peripheral leukocyte populations and mRNA expression of cytokines in lactating dairy cows

This study was designed to examine the effect of yeast cell wall (YCW) supplementation on peripheral leukocyte populations and mRNA expression of cytokines in lactating dairy cows. Fourteen Holstein lactating cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments; the control group (n = 7) were fed a total mixed ration without supplementation and cows in the YCW group (n = 7) were fed a total mixed ration supplemented with YCW (SafMannan; Phileo, Lesaffre Animal Care, Lille, France; 10 g/cow per day). Blood samples were collected 3 times during the experimental period [wk 0 (before any treatment), wk 4, and wk 8]. Peripheral leukocyte populations and cytokine mRNA expression of peripheral blood monocular cells were measured using flow cytometry and real-time PCR, respectively. Among the peripheral leukocyte populations, TcR1-N12 ⁺ and CD14⁺ T cells increased at wk 4, and CD4⁺ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells increased at wk 4 and wk 8 with YCW supplementation. The mRNA level of IL8 tended to be increased in the YCW group at wk 4. Expression of IL12A was lower in the YCW group than in the control group before the experiment (wk 0) but no differences were observed at later time points (wk 4 and wk 8). Expression of IL12A decreased in the control group and increased in the YCW group. Expression of CCR2 increased at wk 4, and CCL2 and CCL3 were increased at wk 8 in the YCW group. Thus, YCW supplementation increased the mRNA expression of cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of lactating dairy cows.

[Pancreatic Leiomyosarcoma with a Difficult Preoperative Diagnosis-A Case Report]

A 43-year-old man was referred to our hospital for examination of a pancreatic tumor. Imaging revealed a mass-like lesion with a cyst in the pancreatic tail. Histological examination by EUS-FNA showed a low grade spindle cell lesion for which laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed. The neoplasm was histologically diagnosed as pancreatic leiomyosarcoma. The postoperative course was uneventful and no signs of recurrence at 8 months after the surgery. Pancreatic leiomyosarcoma is very rare. Only 7 previous cases were reported in Japan. In tumors with diameters exceeding 50 mm, bleeding and necrosis occur inside the tumor and a cyst-like form often develops, which is considered a characteristic imaging finding. Therefore, imaging is important for preoperative differential diagnosis of the disease.

Prognostic indicators in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing total pancreatectomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of total pancreatectomy in a modern cohort of pancreatic cancer patients and to establish whether any factors identified prior to pancreatic resection were related to poor survival.

METHODS

We analyzed, retrospectively, patients who underwent total pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer between 2007 and 2016. The short- and long-term outcomes were investigated and Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic factors identified before resection.

RESULTS

The subjects were 49 patients with a mean age of 65 years, who underwent total pancreatectomy in our hospital during the study period. Peritoneal washing cytology was performed in 48 patients, with positive results in 4 (8.3%). There was no 30-day mortality. The median overall survival was 22.5 months, with a 5-year survival rate of 28.5%. Univariate analyses of the pre-resection variables revealed that overall survival was associated with tumor location, resectability classification, maximum standardized uptake value of positron emission tomography, the preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, and peritoneal washing cytology status. Multivariate analysis revealed that positive peritoneal washing cytology status and the maximum standardized uptake value were independent predictors of poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Total pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer is appropriate for selected patients, but peritoneal washing cytology and positron emission tomography should be performed preoperatively.

Collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) predicts the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE

We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity tests (CD-DSTs) in predicting the efficacy of adjuvant chemo-therapeutic treatments for pancreatic cancer (PC).

METHODS

The clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses of 22 PC patients who underwent CD-DST after pancreatectomy at Tohoku University between 2012 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Eligibility criteria were resectable or borderline resectable PC, successful evaluation for 5-fluorouracil sensitivity by CD-DST, treatment with S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy, and no preoperative chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The rate of successful evaluation by CD-DST was 52.3% in PC. The optimal T/C ratio, defined as the ratio of the number of cancer cells in the treatment group (T) to that in the control group (C), for 5-fluorouracil was 85% using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The sensitive group (T/C ratio < 85%; n = 11) had a better recurrence-free survival rate than the resistant group (T/C ratio ≥ 85%; n = 11; P = 0.029). A Cox proportional hazards regression model demonstrated that sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil was an independent predictor of recurrence on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 3.28; 95.0% CI 1.20-9.84; P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

CD-DSTs helped to predict PC recurrence after S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy.

Metastasis of ovarian cancer to the bile duct: a case report

Background

Ovarian cancer typically spreads along the peritoneum or metastasizes through the blood or lymphatic stream. The bile duct is an extremely rare site of ovarian cancer-associated metastases.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old female underwent surgery for advanced left ovarian cancer 2 years ago. She was diagnosed with ovarian serous adenocarcinoma with multiple peritoneal metastases. She received chemotherapy for the residual peritoneal metastases. She achieved a clinical complete response and was followed up with imaging examinations for 1 year. She then complained of dark urine, yellowish discoloration of the eyes, and weight loss. Computed tomography showed an approximately 10-mm solid tumor at the hepatic hilum. Simultaneously, multiple peritoneal metastases were detected in the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Intraductal ultrasonography suggested that the hepatic hilum tumor was located in the bile duct wall. Tumor biopsy and brush cytology of the bile duct indicated atypical cells suspicious for carcinoma. After percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization, she underwent right hepatectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection for the hepato-hilar tumor. The histopathological features were dysplastic cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and no dysplastic cells in the native biliary epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor cells were positive for CK-7 and WT-1 and negative for CK-20 and ER. These results suggested that the tumor was a metastasis of the ovarian serous adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

This may be the first case of ovarian cancer metastasis to the bile duct. While it is extremely rare, ovarian cancer may metastasize to the hepatic duct, mimicking hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

[Conversion Surgery Combined with Preoperative Coil Embolization of Hepatic Artery for Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Head Cancer with Hepatic Artery Invasion-A Case Report]

Here we report a case treated with conversion surgery combined with preoperative coil embolization of the hepatic artery after chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic head cancer with hepatic artery invasion. A 63- year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of pancreatic cancer. Abdominal CT scan revealed a 30mm pancreatic head tumor with involvement of the common hepatic artery(CHA)and proper hepatic artery(PHA). The left hepatic artery diverged from the left gastric artery. Although S-1 with concurrent radiation therapy was performed, a follow-up CT scan revealed the progression of soft tissue shadow around the CHA. Subsequently, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel(GnP)was administered 13 times. GnP helped achieve normalization of the tumor markers and long stable disease(SD)based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST). For the conversion surgery, embolization of the middle hepatic artery (MHA)was performed. Twelve days after, the right hepatic artery was embolized. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed with resection of the CHA and PHA without arterial reconstruction 16 days after the hepatic arterial embolization. The patient was discharged from our hospital 33 days after surgery without complications related to hepatic ischemia. The patient is alive without recurrence 42 months after the initial diagnosis and 26 months after surgery.

FBXW7 modulates malignant potential and cisplatin-induced apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma through NOTCH1 and MCL1

The ubiquitin ligase F‐box and WD repeat domain‐containing 7 (FBXW7) is responsible for degrading diverse oncoproteins and is considered a tumor suppressor in many human cancers. Inhibiting FBXW7 enhances the malignant potential of several cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of FBXW7 in cholangiocarcinoma. We found that FBXW7 expression was associated with clinicopathological outcomes in cholangiocarcinoma patients. Both disease‐free and overall survival were significantly worse in the low‐FBXW7 group than in the high‐FBXW7 group (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model indicated that FBXW7 was the most important independent prognostic factor for disease‐free (P = .006) and overall (P = .0004) survival. We also showed that the two FBXW7 substrates, NOTCH1 and myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL1), regulate cholangiocarcinoma progression. Depletion of FBXW7 resulted in NOTCH1 accumulation and increased cholangiocarcinoma cell migration and self‐renewal. Interestingly, when cells were stimulated with cis‐diamminedichloridoplatinum(II) (cisplatin), FBXW7 suppression induced MCL1 upregulation, which reduced the sensitivity of cholangiocarcinoma cells to apoptosis, indicating that FBXW7‐mediated ubiquitylation is context‐dependent. These results indicate that FBXW7 modulates the malignant potential of cholangiocarcinoma through independent regulation of NOTCH1 and MCL1.

A novel liver metastasis-correlated protein of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PanNEN) discovered by proteomic analysis

The aim of this study was to identify novel liver metastasis-correlated proteins of PanNEN by proteomics to compare pancreatic tumor (PT) with paired metastatic liver tumor (LT). Of 118 surgical cases with PanNEN, 7 cases with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of both PT and paired LT were evaluated by proteomics. Tumor cells were selectively collected from FFPE tissues by laser capture microdissection. A total of 3,722 proteins were detected from extracted peptides by mass spectrometry-based shotgun analysis. Selection of the candidate proteins expressed differently between PT and LT were performed by semi-quantitative comparison in silico and confirmation with immunohistochemistry. We focused on ANXA6, CNPY2, RAB11B and TUBB3, all of which had higher expressions in LT. In all surgical cases with FFPE samples, liver recurrence-free survival (RFS) was evaluated in correlation to the expression of the candidate proteins in PT by immunohistochemistry. Liver RFS was significantly poorer in CNPY2 positive patients than in negative patients (10-year liver RFS; 39.8% vs. 92.3%, p = 0.012). Also, liver RFS tended to be poorer in ANXA6 positive patients than in those who were negative (10-year liver RFS; 51.4% vs. 95.0%, p = 0.099). In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of liver RFS were CNPY2 positivity (HR: 6.19, 95 % CI: 1.47-42.79, p = 0.011) and tumor size ≥ 42 mm (HR: 4.63, 95 % CI: 1.03-23.23, p = 0.045). In conclusion, CNPY2 is a novel liver metastasis-correlated protein of PanNEN.

Feasibility of laparoscopic surgery after stent insertion for obstructive colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

A growing number of patients with obstructive colorectal cancer are being treated with self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) followed by laparoscopic resection. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of stent insertion and laparoscopic surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer and to compare these outcomes to regular laparoscopic surgery for non-obstructive colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients with a malignant colonic obstruction who underwent SEMS placement followed by elective laparoscopic resection. The comparison was made between stent-laparoscopy and laparoscopy alone for non-obstructive colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery was successful in 97.1% of all cases. Fifteen patients underwent an elective laparoscopic surgery for left-sided colon and rectal cancer after SEMS. The mean interval from SEMS insertion to laparoscopic surgery was 21.5 days. There was no conversion to open surgery and no need for a diverting stoma. One patient (6.7%) experienced paralytic ileus. Our comparison of stent-laparoscopy to regular laparoscopy for non-obstructive colorectal cancer treatment showed comparable short-term postoperative outcomes with the exception of blood loss, which was greater in the stent-laparoscopy group.

CONCLUSION

Elective laparoscopic surgery after colonic stenting is a safe and feasible strategy for the treatment of an acute malignant colonic obstruction.

[Conversion Surgery for Pancreatic Head Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination Following Chemotherapy for Two Years - A Case Report]

Here we report a case of pancreatic cancer(PC)with peritoneal dissemination, underwent conversion surgery following chemotherapy for 2 years. A5 5-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of PC. Abdominal CT scan revealed 3.0 cm of a pancreatic head tumor with abutment of the portal vein and the hepatic artery, classified as borderline resectable. Staging laparoscopy(SL)showed positive peritoneal cytology(CY). Gemcitabine(Gem)plus S-1 therapy(GS) was performed. Ten months after initial GS, SL revealed the disseminated nodule and positive CY. The regimen was changed to Gem plus nab-paclitaxel therapy(Gem plus nab-PTX). Since right ovarian tumor was detected by CT scan 6 months after initial Gem plus nab-PTX, laparoscopic oophorectomy was performed. Histological findings showed positive CY and ovarian metastasis of PC. Afterward, Gem plus nab-PTX has been continued for 8 months. Since SL after 2 years from initial chemotherapy showed negative CY and no metastatic lesion, pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein resection was performed as conversion surgery. According to General Rules for the Study of Pancreatic Cancer the 7th edition by Japan Pancreas Society, histological findings showed ypT3, ypN0, R0, and Grade 1b of histological effect. The patient is alive without recurrence 6 months after the resection.

18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Predicts Recurrence in Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine whether treatment should be stratified according to 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) maximum standardized uptake values (SUV_max) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients who underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT between 2006 and 2014 (n = 138) were stratified into high (≥ 4.85) and low (< 4.85) PET groups. The clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The primary tumor SUV_max was positively correlated with preoperative CA19-9 levels (P < 0.001). The high PET group failed to achieve postoperative CA19-9 normalization (P = 0.014). Disease-specific (P < 0.001), recurrence-free (P < 0.001), liver recurrence-free (P < 0.001), and peritoneal recurrence-free (P = 0.020) survivals were significantly shorter in the high PET group. The primary tumor SUV_max was an independent predictive risk factor for liver metastasis (hazard ratio 3.46, 95% confidence interval 1.61-7.87; P = 0.001) and peritoneal recurrence (hazard ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.18-10.89; P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection failed to achieve CA19-9 normalization in the high PET group and distant recurrence was frequent. This suggests the potential for residual cancer at distant sites, even after curative resection. Stronger preoperative systemic chemotherapy is preferred for the high PET group patients.

A long-term survival case treated with conversion surgery following chemotherapy after diagnostic metastasectomy for pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis

Background

Pancreatic cancer with distant metastases is classified as “unresectable,” for which the standard treatment is systemic chemotherapy. The effectiveness of radical resection for pancreatic cancer with distant metastases is unknown. Here, we report a case of long term survival treated with conversion surgery following chemotherapy after diagnostic metastasectomy for pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital to examine and treat for cancer of the pancreatic body. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 26-mm hypovascular tumor in contact with the common hepatic artery (CHA) (> 180°), the celiac artery (< 180°), and portal vein at the pancreatic body. Resectability was determined as “borderline resectable.” Two courses of gemcitabine plus S-1 combination therapy (GS) were administered as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). CT scan showed tumor shrinkage (21 mm), determined as stable disease (SD) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Although the abdomen was opened for radical resection, a small nodule on the liver was detected and removed. Since the nodule was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by intraoperative frozen section, resection of the primary tumor was not performed. After three subsequent courses of GS therapy, no distant metastases were detected under radiological findings. Distal pancreatectomy with celiac artery resection (DP-CAR) was performed as radical surgery 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Histological diagnosis was well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, showing ypT1 ypN1 M1 stage IV, negative surgical margin (R0), and grade III in the Evans classification. S-1 was administered every other day from 6 months after resection up to the present. The patient has been alive with no recurrence for 5 years after the initial diagnosis and 4.5 years after the resection.

Conclusion

There is a case that received survival benefits from conversion surgery following chemotherapy after diagnostic metastasectomy in pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis.

[Multidisciplinary Therapy with Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer]

Gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel(GN)shows promisinganti -tumor effect and has been established standard regimen for metastatic pancreatic cancer(PC). Conversion surgery(CS), recently reported about initially unresectable PC with favorable response to non-surgical treatment, might provide long-term survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of multi-modal treatment includingCS after GN therapy for initially unresectable PC. From 2015 to 2016, 29 initially unresectable PC treated with chemotherapy includingGN were eligible for the retrospective analysis. Unresectability was defined over 180- degree abutment to major arteries(UR-LA)or suspicious small metastases(UR-M). CS was planed after clinical favorable response over 6 months of treatment duration. Median age of the patients was 62.5 years old, including 18 males and 11 females. Tumor in the pancreas head(n=20)was dominant. Eighteen patients were UR-LA and remaining1 1 were UR-M. CS was performed in 9 cases(31%)with no significant difference between UR-LA and UR-M. CS showed significant better survival with 67%of 2-year survival rate, compared to without CS(p=0.039). GN regimen effectively induced CS for initially unresectable PC. Multidisciplinary therapy includinginduction GN and CS might have survival impact on unresectable PC.