1
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Yaniv D, Mattson B, Talbot S, Gleber-Netto FO, Amit M. Targeting the peripheral neural-tumour microenvironment for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:780-796. [PMID: 39242781 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-01017-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
As the field of cancer neuroscience expands, the strategic targeting of interactions between neurons, cancer cells and other elements in the tumour microenvironment represents a potential paradigm shift in cancer treatment, comparable to the advent of our current understanding of tumour immunology. Cancer cells actively release growth factors that stimulate tumour neo-neurogenesis, and accumulating evidence indicates that tumour neo-innervation propels tumour progression, inhibits tumour-related pro-inflammatory cytokines, promotes neovascularization, facilitates metastasis and regulates immune exhaustion and evasion. In this Review, we give an up-to-date overview of the dynamics of the tumour microenvironment with an emphasis on tumour innervation by the peripheral nervous system, as well as current preclinical and clinical evidence of the benefits of targeting the nervous system in cancer, laying a scientific foundation for further clinical trials. Combining empirical data with a biomarker-driven approach to identify and hone neuronal targets implicated in cancer and its spread can pave the way for swift clinical integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yaniv
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brandi Mattson
- The Neurodegeneration Consortium, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sebastien Talbot
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frederico O Gleber-Netto
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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2
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Sheng J, Chen H, Fu B, Pan H, Wang J, Han W. BPI-28592 as a novel second generation inhibitor for NTRK fusion tumors. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:198. [PMID: 39256512 PMCID: PMC11387395 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00686-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRKs) is a well-defined oncogenic driver for neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK)-fusion cancers, and acquired resistant mutations have emerged with clinical use of the first-generation TRK inhibitors. Here we present BPI-28592, a novel second-generation TRK inhibitor with efficacy against TRK fusion-positive cancers, including those with resistant mutations. Docking simulations indicated no steric hindrance between BPI-28592 and TRK mutants, suggesting its potential to overcome drug resistance. Biochemical assays showed strong inhibition and high selectivity against TRKA, TRKB, and TRKC. The inhibitor significantly reduced cell proliferation and blocked TRK signaling. In vivo studies demonstrated effective tumor suppression in xenograft models harboring TRK fusions with or without resistant mutations. Clinically, BPI-28592 achieved a complete response in a patient with malignant melanoma carrying an AP3S2-NTRK3 fusion (Clinicaltrials. gov identifier: NCT05302843).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Sheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bang Fu
- Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongming Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jiabing Wang
- Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Weidong Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Colorectal Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
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3
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Connelly CF, Towne WS, Desai N, Smithgall MC, Cimic A, Baskota SU. Cytologic testing for mismatch repair deficiency/microsatellite instability and NTRK gene fusion is not routinely indicated in primary pancreaticobiliary carcinoma cell block material. J Am Soc Cytopathol 2024:S2213-2945(24)00201-1. [PMID: 39341739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2024.08.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreaticobiliary carcinomas rarely harbor targetable genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) or neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions. As these malignancies are typically present at an advanced stage and have suboptimal response to chemotherapy, the discovery of an actionable genomic alteration provides an additional avenue of treatment for chemotherapy-refractory cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we evaluate 319 cases of pancreaticobiliary carcinoma diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration biopsy or biliary brushing for DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein deficiency and pan-TRK overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and compare these results to MSI and NTRK gene fusion molecular testing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Although we find a high concordance between MMR protein IHC and MSI molecular testing in the evaluation of MMR deficiency and between pan-TRK IHC and NTRK fusion testing by next-generation sequencing, the low prevalence of either of these genetic alterations in our cohort casts doubt on the value of screening cases of pancreaticobiliary carcinoma for MMR protein deficiency and NTRK fusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney F Connelly
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - William S Towne
- Department of Pathology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Niyati Desai
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Marie C Smithgall
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Adela Cimic
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Swikrity U Baskota
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine Health School of Medicine, Sacramento, California.
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4
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Zheng S, He H, Zheng J, Zhu X, Lin N, Wu Q, Wei E, Weng C, Chen S, Huang X, Jian C, Guan S, Yang C. Machine learning-based screening and validation of liver metastasis-specific genes in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17679. [PMID: 39085446 PMCID: PMC11291988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68706-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is challenging in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer. Limited research has been conducted on how CRLM develops. RNA sequencing data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Four machine learning algorithms were used to screen the hub CRLM-specific genes, including Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso), Random forest, SVM-RFE, and XGboost. The model for identifying CRLM was developed using stepwise logistic regression and was validated using internal and independent datasets. The prognostic value of hub CRLM-specific genes was assessed using the Lasso-Cox method. The in vitro experiments were performed using SW620 cells. The CRLM identification model was developed based on four CRLM-specific genes (SPP1, ZG16, P2RY14, and PRKAR2B), and the model efficacy was validated using GSE41258 and three external cohorts. Five CRLM-specific prognostic hub genes, SPP1, ZG16, P2RY14, CYP2E1, and C5, were identified using the Lasso-Cox algorithm, and a risk score was constructed. The risk score was validated using the GSE39582 cohort. Three genes have both efficacy in identifying CRLM and prognostic value: ZG16, P2RY14, and SPP1. Immune infiltration and enrichment analyses demonstrated that SPP1 was associated with M2 macrophage polarization and extracellular matrix remodeling. In vitro experiments indicated that SPP1 may act as a cancer-promoting factor. The hub CRLM-specific gene SPP1 can help determine the diagnosis, prognosis, and immune infiltration of patients with CRLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyao Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxin He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingshu Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fuzhou, 350025, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of General Surgery, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fuzhou, 350025, People's Republic of China
- Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Department of General Surgery, 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou, 350025, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, People's Republic of China
| | - Enhao Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Caiming Weng
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqian Chen
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxiang Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxing Jian
- School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Afliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, 351106, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shen Guan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunkang Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, 350014, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Kalra A, Meltzer SJ. The Role of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Disease: An Expanded Review of Malignant and Nonmalignant Gastrointestinal Diseases. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)05185-0. [PMID: 38971197 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Esophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, and gastric cancer together impact millions of patients worldwide each year, with high overall mortality rates, and are increasing in incidence. Additionally, premalignant gastrointestinal diseases, such as Barrett's esophagus and inflammatory bowel disease, are also increasing in incidence. However, involvement of aberrant DNA methylation in these diseases is incompletely understood, especially given recent research advancements in this field. Here, we review knowledge of this epigenetic mechanism in gastrointestinal preneoplasia and neoplasia, considering mechanisms of action, genetic and environmental factors, and 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' island methylator phenotype. We also highlight developments in translational research, focusing on genomic-wide database data, methylation-based biomarkers and diagnostic tests, machine learning, and therapeutic epigenetic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kalra
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen J Meltzer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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6
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Gkountakos A, Singhi AD, Westphalen CB, Scarpa A, Luchini C. Fusion genes in pancreatic tumors. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:430-443. [PMID: 38378317 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Gene fusions and rearrangements play a crucial role in tumor biology. They are rare events typically detected in KRAS wild-type (WT) pancreatic tumors. Their identification can inform clinical management by enabling precision oncology, as fusions involving BRAF, FGFR2, RET, NTRK, NRG1, and ALK represent actionable targets in KRAS-WT cancers, and serve diagnostic purposes since fusions involving PRKACA/B represent the diagnostic hallmark of intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasms (IOPNs). Although they are rare, the therapeutic and diagnostic importance of these genomic events should not be underestimated, highlighting the need for quality-ensured molecular diagnostics in the management of cancer. Herein we review the existing literature on the role of fusion genes in pancreatic tumors and their clinical potential as effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aatur D Singhi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - C Benedikt Westphalen
- Department of Medicine III and Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC), LMU University Hospital Munich and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Research Center, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Claudio Luchini
- ARC-Net Research Center, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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7
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Yun KM, Narezkina A, Redfern C, Velasco K, Bazhenova L. Repotrectinib in a Patient With NTRK Fusion-Positive Pancreatic Carcinoma and Congenital Long QT Syndrome. JCO Precis Oncol 2024; 8:e2300265. [PMID: 38271657 PMCID: PMC10830087 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Repotrectinib in a patient with NTRK fusion-positive pancreatic carcinoma and congenital long QT syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M. Yun
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anna Narezkina
- Division of Cardiology, University of California Medical Center and Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Katherine Velasco
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA
| | - Lyudmila Bazhenova
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA
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8
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Hu ZI, O'Reilly EM. Therapeutic developments in pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:7-24. [PMID: 37798442 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00840-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a rising incidence and is one of the most lethal human malignancies. Much is known regarding the biology and pathophysiology of PDAC, but translating this knowledge to the clinic to improve patient outcomes has been challenging. In this Review, we discuss advances and practice-changing trials for PDAC. We briefly review therapeutic failures as well as ongoing research to refine the standard of care, including novel biomarkers and clinical trial designs. In addition, we highlight contemporary areas of research, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, KRAS-targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss the future of pancreatic cancer research and areas for improvement in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Ian Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Jiang Z, Zheng X, Li M, Liu M. Improving the prognosis of pancreatic cancer: insights from epidemiology, genomic alterations, and therapeutic challenges. Front Med 2023; 17:1135-1169. [PMID: 38151666 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1050-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, notorious for its late diagnosis and aggressive progression, poses a substantial challenge owing to scarce treatment alternatives. This review endeavors to furnish a holistic insight into pancreatic cancer, encompassing its epidemiology, genomic characterization, risk factors, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and treatment resistance mechanisms. We delve into identifying risk factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, and explore recent research advancements in precursor lesions and molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, we highlight the development and application of multi-omics approaches in pancreatic cancer research and discuss the latest combinations of pancreatic cancer biomarkers and their efficacy. We also dissect the primary mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in this malignancy, illustrating the latest therapeutic options and advancements in the field. Conclusively, we accentuate the urgent demand for more extensive research to enhance the prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Gastroenterology and Pancreas, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Xiaohao Zheng
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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10
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Garajová I, Peroni M, Gelsomino F, Leonardi F. A Simple Overview of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment for Clinical Oncologists. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:9587-9601. [PMID: 37999114 PMCID: PMC10669959 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30110694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive solid tumors and is showing increasing incidence. The aim of our review is to provide practical help for all clinical oncologists and to summarize the current management of PDAC using a simple "ABC method" (A-anatomical resectability, B-biological resectability and C-clinical conditions). For anatomically resectable PDAC without any high-risk factors (biological or conditional), the actual standard of care is represented by surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The remaining PDAC patients should all be treated with initial systemic therapy, though the intent for each is different: for borderline resectable patients, the intent is neoadjuvant; for locally advanced patients, the intent is conversion; and for metastatic PDAC patients, the intent remains just palliative. The actual standard of care in first-line therapy is represented by two regimens: FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. Recently, NALIRIFOX showed positive results over gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. There are limited data for maintenance therapy after first-line treatment, though 5-FU or FOLFIRI after initial FOLFIRINOX, and gemcitabine, after initial gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, might be considered. We also dedicate space to special rare conditions, such as PDAC with germline BRCA mutations, pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas, with few clinically relevant remarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Garajová
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy; (M.P.)
| | - Marianna Peroni
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy; (M.P.)
| | - Fabio Gelsomino
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Leonardi
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy; (M.P.)
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11
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Chouari T, La Costa FS, Merali N, Jessel MD, Sivakumar S, Annels N, Frampton AE. Advances in Immunotherapeutics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4265. [PMID: 37686543 PMCID: PMC10486452 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for up to 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases and is the seventh-leading cause of cancer death. Poor prognosis is a result of late presentation, a lack of screening tests and the fact some patients develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Novel therapies like immunotherapeutics have been of recent interest in pancreatic cancer. However, this field remains in its infancy with much to unravel. Immunotherapy and other targeted therapies have yet to yield significant progress in treating PDAC, primarily due to our limited understanding of the disease immune mechanisms and its intricate interactions with the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review we provide an overview of current novel immunotherapies which have been studied in the field of pancreatic cancer. We discuss their mechanisms, evidence available in pancreatic cancer as well as the limitations of such therapies. We showcase the potential role of combining novel therapies in PDAC, postulate their potential clinical implications and the hurdles associated with their use in PDAC. Therapies discussed with include programmed death checkpoint inhibitors, Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cell therapy, oncolytic viral therapy and vaccine therapies including KRAS vaccines, Telomerase vaccines, Gastrin Vaccines, Survivin-targeting vaccines, Heat-shock protein (HSP) peptide complex-based vaccines, MUC-1 targeting vaccines, Listeria based vaccines and Dendritic cell-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarak Chouari
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Department, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK; (T.C.); (F.S.L.C.); (N.M.)
- Section of Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (M.-D.J.); (N.A.)
| | - Francesca Soraya La Costa
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Department, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK; (T.C.); (F.S.L.C.); (N.M.)
| | - Nabeel Merali
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Department, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK; (T.C.); (F.S.L.C.); (N.M.)
- Section of Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (M.-D.J.); (N.A.)
- The Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Maria-Danae Jessel
- Section of Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (M.-D.J.); (N.A.)
| | - Shivan Sivakumar
- Oncology Department and Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Birmingham Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Nicola Annels
- Section of Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (M.-D.J.); (N.A.)
| | - Adam E. Frampton
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Department, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK; (T.C.); (F.S.L.C.); (N.M.)
- Section of Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (M.-D.J.); (N.A.)
- The Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK
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12
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Geerinckx B, Teuwen LA, Foo T, Vandamme T, Smith A, Peeters M, Price T. Novel therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer: moving beyond cytotoxic chemotherapy. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:1237-1249. [PMID: 37842857 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2270161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prognosis of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) remains disappointing with a 5-year overall survival of only 3-5%. Compared to other cancers, the evolution in standard therapeutic options has been stagnant and polychemotherapy regimens (with well-known toxicity profile and resistance pattern) remain standard of care. Only for patients (5%-7%) with a breast cancer gene (BRCA) pathogenic germline variant, prognosis has improved by the use of olaparib (poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor). AREAS COVERED This review covers emerging treatment strategies in the management of mPDAC. One of the main topics is the rigid and immunological cold tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC and the search for agents that impact this TME and/or engage the immune system. In addition, the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has elicited for some patients new targeted therapies directed at alterations in the RTK/RAS/MAPK pathway and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage repair pathway. Other evolving treatment strategies are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION The search for new, often combination, treatment strategies for mPDAC should be encouraged and implemented in early treatment lines given the significant decline of performance status of patients in later lines. NGS analysis should be used where available, although cost-effectiveness could be debatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Geerinckx
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, Australia
- Department of Oncology and Multidisciplinary Oncological Center of Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Laure-Anne Teuwen
- Department of Oncology and Multidisciplinary Oncological Center of Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Foo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, Australia
| | - Timon Vandamme
- Department of Oncology and Multidisciplinary Oncological Center of Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Annabel Smith
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, Australia
| | - Marc Peeters
- Department of Oncology and Multidisciplinary Oncological Center of Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Timothy Price
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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13
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Kong Y, Jiang C, Wei G, Sun K, Wang R, Qiu T. Small Molecule Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents Targeting Oncogenic Fusion Proteins: Current Status and Clinical. Molecules 2023; 28:4672. [PMID: 37375228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic fusion proteins, arising from chromosomal rearrangements, have emerged as prominent drivers of tumorigenesis and crucial therapeutic targets in cancer research. In recent years, the potential of small molecular inhibitors in selectively targeting fusion proteins has exhibited significant prospects, offering a novel approach to combat malignancies harboring these aberrant molecular entities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of small molecular inhibitors as therapeutic agents for oncogenic fusion proteins. We discuss the rationale for targeting fusion proteins, elucidate the mechanism of action of inhibitors, assess the challenges associated with their utilization, and provide a summary of the clinical progress achieved thus far. The objective is to provide the medicinal community with current and pertinent information and to expedite the drug discovery programs in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Caihong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Kai Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ting Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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14
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Reissig TM, Tzianopoulos I, Liffers ST, Rosery VK, Guyot M, Ting S, Wiesweg M, Kasper S, Meister P, Herold T, Schmidt HH, Schumacher B, Albers D, Markus P, Treckmann J, Schuler M, Schildhaus HU, Siveke JT. Smaller panel, similar results: genomic profiling and molecularly informed therapy in pancreatic cancer. ESMO Open 2023; 8:101539. [PMID: 37148593 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis. One reason is resistance to cytotoxic drugs. Molecularly matched therapies might overcome this resistance but the best approach to identify those patients who may benefit is unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate a molecularly guided treatment approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome and mutational status of patients with pancreatic cancer who received molecular profiling at the West German Cancer Center Essen from 2016 to 2021. We carried out a 47-gene DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. Furthermore, we assessed microsatellite instability-high/deficient mismatch repair (MSI-H/dMMR) status and, sequentially and only in case of KRAS wild-type, gene fusions via RNA-based NGS. Patient data and treatment were retrieved from the electronic medical records. RESULTS Of 190 included patients, 171 had pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (90%). One hundred and three patients had stage IV pancreatic cancer at diagnosis (54%). MMR analysis in 94 patients (94/190, 49.5%) identified 3 patients with dMMR (3/94, 3.2%). Notably, we identified 32 patients with KRAS wild-type status (16.8%). To identify driver alterations in these patients, we conducted an RNA-based fusion assay on 13 assessable samples and identified 5 potentially actionable fusions (5/13, 38.5%). Overall, we identified 34 patients with potentially actionable alterations (34/190, 17.9%). Of these 34 patients, 10 patients (10/34, 29.4%) finally received at least one molecularly targeted treatment and 4 patients had an exceptional response (>9 months on treatment). CONCLUSIONS Here, we show that a small-sized gene panel can suffice to identify relevant therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer patients. Informally comparing with previous large-scale studies, this approach yields a similar detection rate of actionable targets. We propose molecular sequencing of pancreatic cancer as standard of care to identify KRAS wild-type and rare molecular subsets for targeted treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Reissig
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - I Tzianopoulos
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - S-T Liffers
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - V K Rosery
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Guyot
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Oncology und Hematology, Diabetology and Rheumatology, Marien-Hospital Wesel, Wesel, Germany
| | - S Ting
- Institute of Pathology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Wiesweg
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - S Kasper
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - P Meister
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hepatology, and Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - T Herold
- Institute of Pathology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - H H Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - B Schumacher
- Department of Gastroenterology, Visceral and Trauma Surgery, Elisabeth Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - D Albers
- Department of Gastroenterology, Visceral and Trauma Surgery, Elisabeth Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - P Markus
- Department of General, Visceral and Trauma Surgery, Elisabeth Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - J Treckmann
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hepatology, and Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Schuler
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - H-U Schildhaus
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - J T Siveke
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
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15
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Brown TJ, Reiss KA, O'Hara MH. Advancements in Systemic Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2023; 43:e397082. [PMID: 37192430 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_397082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer have improved in the past 12 years, mainly because of progress made in systemic therapies. New treatment strategies for advanced pancreatic cancer include switch maintenance with cytotoxic therapies, induction maintenance, and the utilization of targeted agents for patients with actionable variants, as well as ongoing development of cytotoxic regimens, such as NALIRIFOX. The activity of immunotherapy has been disappointing to date, but novel combinations and identifying appropriate patient populations may further unlock its potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Brown
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kim A Reiss
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mark H O'Hara
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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16
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Allen MJ, Zhang A, Bavi P, Kim JC, Jang GH, Kelly D, Perera S, Denroche RE, Notta F, Wilson JM, Dodd A, Ramotar S, Hutchinson S, Fischer SE, Grant RC, Gallinger S, Knox JJ, O'Kane GM. Molecular characterisation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with NTRK fusions and review of the literature. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:158-165. [PMID: 34583947 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2021-207781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The majority of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) harbour oncogenic mutations in KRAS with variants in TP53, CDKN2A and SMAD4 also prevalent. The presence of oncogenic fusions including NTRK fusions are rare but important to identify. Here we ascertain the prevalence of NTRK fusions and document their genomic characteristics in a large series of PDAC. METHODS Whole genome sequencing and RNAseq were performed on a series of patients with resected or locally advanced/metastatic PDAC collected between 2008 and 2020 at a single institution. A subset of specimens underwent immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Clinical and molecular characterisation and IHC sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. RESULTS 400 patients were included (resected n=167; locally advanced/metastatic n=233). Three patients were identified as harbouring an NTRK fusion, two EML4-NTRK3 (KRAS-WT) and a single novel KANK1-NTRK3 fusion. The latter occurring in the presence of a subclonal KRAS mutation. Typical PDAC drivers were present including mutations in TP53 and CDKN2A. Substitution base signatures and tumour mutational burden were similar to typical PDAC. The prevalence of NTRK fusions was 0.8% (3/400), while in KRAS wild-type tumours, it was 6.25% (2/32). DNA prediction alone documented six false-positive cases. RNA analysis correctly identified the in-frame fusion transcripts. IHC analysis was negative in the KANK1-NTRK3 fusion but positive in a EML4-NTRK3 case, highlighting lower sensitivity of IHC. CONCLUSION NTRK fusions are rare; however, with emerging therapeutic options targeting these fusions, detection is vital. Reflex testing for KRAS mutations and subsequent RNA-based screening could help identify these cases in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Allen
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amy Zhang
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Prashant Bavi
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jaeseung C Kim
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gun Ho Jang
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deirdre Kelly
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheron Perera
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rob E Denroche
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faiyaz Notta
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie M Wilson
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Dodd
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Ramotar
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shawn Hutchinson
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra E Fischer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert C Grant
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven Gallinger
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgical Oncology Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer J Knox
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grainne M O'Kane
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Grainne.O'
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Molnar A, Monroe H, Basri Aydin H, Arslan ME, Lightle A, Lee H, El Jabbour T. Tumors of the Digestive System: Comprehensive Review of Ancillary Testing and Biomarkers in the Era of Precision Medicine. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:2388-2404. [PMID: 36826143 PMCID: PMC9954843 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has remained at the vanguard of promising cancer therapeutic regimens due to its exceptionally high specificity for tumor cells and potential for significantly improved treatment-associated quality of life compared to other therapeutic approaches such as surgery and chemoradiation. This is especially true in the digestive system, where high rates of mutation give rise to a host of targetable tumor-specific antigens. Many patients, however, do not exhibit measurable improvements under immunotherapy due to intrinsic or acquired resistance, making predictive biomarkers necessary to determine which patients will benefit from this line of treatment. Many of these biomarkers are assessed empirically by pathologists according to nuanced scoring criteria and algorithms. This review serves to inform clinicians and pathologists of extant and promising upcoming biomarkers predictive of immunotherapeutic efficacy among digestive system malignancies and the ancillary testing required for interpretation by pathologists according to tumor site of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Molnar
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Hunter Monroe
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Hasan Basri Aydin
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Mustafa Erdem Arslan
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrea Lightle
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Tony El Jabbour
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- Correspondence:
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18
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Liu J, Mroczek M, Mach A, Stępień M, Aplas A, Pronobis-Szczylik B, Bukowski S, Mielczarek M, Gajewska E, Topolski P, Król ZJ, Szyda J, Dobosz P. Genetics, Genomics and Emerging Molecular Therapies of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:779. [PMID: 36765737 PMCID: PMC9913594 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of cases of pancreatic cancers in 2019 in Poland was 3852 (approx. 2% of all cancers). The course of the disease is very fast, and the average survival time from the diagnosis is 6 months. Only <2% of patients live for 5 years from the diagnosis, 8% live for 2 years, and almost half live for only about 3 months. A family predisposition to pancreatic cancer occurs in about 10% of cases. Several oncogenes in which somatic changes lead to the development of tumours, including genes BRCA1/2 and PALB2, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, MLL3, TGFBR2, ARID1A and SF3B1, are involved in pancreatic cancer. Between 4% and 10% of individuals with pancreatic cancer will have a mutation in one of these genes. Six percent of patients with pancreatic cancer have NTRK pathogenic fusion. The pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer can in many cases be characterised by homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-cell inability to effectively repair DNA. It is estimated that from 24% to as many as 44% of pancreatic cancers show HRD. The most common cause of HRD are inactivating mutations in the genes regulating this DNA repair system, mainly BRCA1 and BRCA2, but also PALB2, RAD51C and several dozen others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Liu
- Biostatistics Group, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-631 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Mroczek
- Centre for Cardiovascular Genetics and Gene Diagnostics, Foundation for People with Rare Diseases, Wagistrasse 25, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Anna Mach
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Stępień
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Doctoral School, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Angelika Aplas
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Pronobis-Szczylik
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Bukowski
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magda Mielczarek
- Biostatistics Group, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-631 Wroclaw, Poland
- National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland
| | - Ewelina Gajewska
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Topolski
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zbigniew J. Król
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Szyda
- Biostatistics Group, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-631 Wroclaw, Poland
- National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland
| | - Paula Dobosz
- Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
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19
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Topham JT, Renouf DJ, Schaeffer DF. Circulating tumor DNA: toward evolving the clinical paradigm of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231157651. [PMID: 36895849 PMCID: PMC9989430 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231157651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over a decade of sequencing-based genomics research has unveiled a diverse somatic mutation landscape across patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the identification of druggable mutations has aligned with the development of novel targeted therapeutics. However, despite these advances, direct translation of years of PDAC genomics research into the clinical care of patients remains a critical and unmet need. Technologies that enabled the initial mapping of the PDAC mutation landscape, namely whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing, remain overly expensive in terms of both time and financial resources. Consequentially, dependence on these technologies to identify the relatively small subset of patients with actionable PDAC alterations has greatly impeded enrollment for clinical trials testing novel targeted therapies. Liquid biopsy tumor profiling using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) generates new opportunities by overcoming these challenges while further addressing issues particularly relevant to PDAC, namely, difficulty of obtaining tumor tissue via fine-needle biopsy and the need for faster turnaround time due to rapid disease progression. Meanwhile, ctDNA-based approaches for tracking disease kinetics with respect to surgical and therapeutic interventions offer a means to elevate the current clinical management of PDAC toward higher granularity and accuracy. This review provides a clinically focused summary of ctDNA advances, limitations, and opportunities in PDAC and postulates ctDNA sequencing technology as a catalyst for evolving the clinical decision-making paradigm of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J Renouf
- Pancreas Centre BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Division of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David F Schaeffer
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital, 910 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.,Pancreas Centre BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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20
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Emerging Role of Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246223. [PMID: 36551707 PMCID: PMC9776746 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggressive biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), along with its limited sensitivity to many systemic therapies, presents a major challenge in the management of patients with metastatic PDAC. Over the past decade, the incorporation of combinatorial cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens has improved patient outcomes. Despite these advances, resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy inevitably occurs, and there is a great need for effective therapies. A major focus of research has been to identify molecularly defined subpopulations of patients with PDAC who may benefit from targeted therapies that are matched to their molecular profile. Recent successes include the demonstration of the efficacy of maintenance PARP inhibition in PDAC tumors harboring deleterious BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 alterations. In addition, while therapeutic targeting of KRAS was long thought to be infeasible, emerging data on the efficacy of KRAS G12C inhibitors have increased optimism about next-generation KRAS-directed therapies in PDAC. Meanwhile, KRAS wild-type PDAC encompasses a unique molecular subpopulation of PDAC that is enriched for targetable genetic alterations, such as oncogenic BRAF alterations, mismatch repair deficiency, and FGFR2, ALK, NTRK, ROS1, NRG1, and RET rearrangements. As more molecularly targeted therapies are developed, precision medicine has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of patients with metastatic PDAC.
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21
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Li G, Cheng Y, Han C, Song C, Huang N, Du Y. Pyrazole-containing pharmaceuticals: target, pharmacological activity, and their SAR studies. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1300-1321. [PMID: 36439976 PMCID: PMC9667768 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00206j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrazole is a five-membered heterocycle bearing two adjacent nitrogen atoms. Both pharmaceutical agents and natural products with pyrazole as a nucleus have exhibited a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the last few decades, more than 40 pyrazole-containing drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of a broad range of clinical conditions including celecoxib (anti-inflammatory), CDPPB (antipsychotic), difenamizole (analgesic), etc. Owing to the unique physicochemical properties of the pyrazole core, pyrazole-containing drugs may exert better pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects compared with drugs containing similar heterocyclic rings. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of all the existing drugs bearing a pyrazole nucleus that have been approved or in clinical trials, involving their pharmacological activities and SAR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchen Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Yifu Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Chi Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Chun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Qing Dao City Shandong Province 266237 China
| | - Niu Huang
- National Institution of Biological Sciences Beijing, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park Beijing 102206 China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University Beijing 102206 China
| | - Yunfei Du
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University Tianjin 300072 China
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22
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The CCTG PA.7 phase II trial of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with or without durvalumab and tremelimumab as initial therapy in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5020. [PMID: 36028483 PMCID: PMC9418247 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32591-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy-based monotherapy treatment in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) has shown limited benefit outside of the mismatch repair deficiency setting, while safety and efficacy of combining dual-checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy with chemotherapy remains uncertain. Here, we present results from the CCTG PA.7 study (NCT02879318), a randomized phase II trial comparing gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with and without immune checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab and tremelimumab in 180 patients with mPDAC. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and objective response rate. Results of the trial were negative as combination immunotherapy did not improve survival among the unselected patient population (p = 0.72) and toxicity was limited to elevation of lymphocytes in the combination immunotherapy group (p = 0.02). Exploratory baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing revealed increased survival for patients with KRAS wildtype tumors in both the combination immunotherapy (p = 0.001) and chemotherapy (p = 0.004) groups. These data support the utility of ctDNA analysis in PDAC and the prognostic value of ctDNA-based KRAS mutation status.
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23
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O'Kane GM, Lowery MA. Moving the Needle on Precision Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2022; 40:2693-2705. [PMID: 35839440 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.02514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has posed a considerable challenge for decades, with incidence and mortality rates almost mirroring each other. Despite this, a deeper understanding of the complex biology inherent to PDAC has provided a roadmap for a more precise approach to treatment. PDAC deficient in homologous recombination repair and mismatch repair is a subgroup that should be identified in the clinic for a targeted approach. In addition, KRAS wild-type PDAC, occurring in approximately 10% of patients, is enriched in highly actionable alterations including fusions, underscoring the importance of integrative germline and somatic sequencing. Comprehensive sequencing efforts over the past decade have documented genomic- and transcriptomic-based classifiers, with the latter emerging as two main subtypes: the classical and basal-like, which are now being evaluated in clinical trials. Together with promising, innovative strategies to target KRAS mutations and their pleotropic effects, a new era of precision medicine in PDAC is on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grainne M O'Kane
- Trinity St James Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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24
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Mortazavi M, Moosavi F, Martini M, Giovannetti E, Firuzi O. Prospects of targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in pancreatic cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 176:103749. [PMID: 35728737 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the worst prognoses among all malignancies. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, a main downstream effector of KRAS is involved in the regulation of key hallmarks of cancer. We here report that whole-genome analyses demonstrate the frequent involvement of aberrant activations of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components in PDAC patients and critically evaluate preclinical and clinical evidence on the application of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway targeting agents. Combinations of these agents with chemotherapeutics or other targeted therapies, including the modulators of cyclin-dependent kinases, receptor tyrosine kinases and RAF/MEK/ERK pathway are also examined. Although human genetic studies and preclinical pharmacological investigations have provided strong evidence on the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in PDAC, clinical studies in general have not been as promising. Patient stratification seems to be the key missing point and with the advent of biomarker-guided clinical trials, targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway could provide valuable assets for treatment of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Mortazavi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Moosavi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Miriam Martini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazine Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Omidreza Firuzi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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25
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Pancreatoblastomas and mixed and pure acinar cell carcinomas share epigenetic signatures distinct from other neoplasms of the pancreas. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:956-961. [PMID: 34969956 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00989-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic neoplasms are heterogenous and have traditionally been classified by assessing their lines of cellular differentiation using histopathologic methods, particularly morphologic and immunohistochemical evaluation. These methods frequently identify overlapping differentiation along ductal, acinar, and neuroendocrine lines, raising diagnostic challenges as well as questions regarding the relationship of these neoplasms. Neoplasms with acinar differentiation, in particular, frequently show more than one line of differentiation based on immunolabeling. Genome methylation signatures, in contrast, are better conserved within cellular lineages, and are increasingly used to support the classification of neoplasms. We characterized the epigenetic relationships between pancreatoblastomas, acinar cell carcinomas (including mixed variants), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas using a genome-wide array platform. Using unsupervised learning approaches, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, ductal adenocarcinomas, and normal pancreatic tissue samples all localized to distinct clusters based on their methylation profiles, whereas all neoplasms with acinar differentiation occupied a broad overlapping region located between the predominantly acinar normal pancreatic tissue and ductal adenocarcinoma clusters. Our data provide evidence to suggest that acinar cell carcinomas and pancreatoblastomas are similar at the epigenetic level. These findings are consistent with genomic and clinical observations that mixed acinar neoplasms are closely related to pure acinar cell carcinomas rather than to neuroendocrine tumors or ductal adenocarcinomas.
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26
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Xu ZH, Wang WQ, Liu L, Lou WH. A special subtype: Revealing the potential intervention and great value of KRAS wildtype pancreatic cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188751. [PMID: 35732240 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the predominant form of pancreatic cancer and has devastating consequences on affected families and society. Its dismal prognosis is attributed to poor specificity of symptoms during early stages. It is widely believed that PDAC patients with the wildtype (WT) KRAS gene benefit more from currently available treatments than those with KRAS mutations. The oncogenic genetic changes alternations generally found in KRAS wildtype PDAC are related to either the KRAS pathway or microsatellite instability/mismatch repair deficiency (MSI/dMMR), which enable the application of tailored treatments based on each patient's genetic characteristics. This review focuses on targeted therapies against alternative tumour mechanisms in KRAS WT PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hang Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Quan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wen-Hui Lou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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27
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Marchetti A, Ferro B, Pasciuto MP, Zampacorta C, Buttitta F, D'Angelo E. NTRK gene fusions in solid tumors: agnostic relevance, prevalence and diagnostic strategies. Pathologica 2022; 114:199-216. [PMID: 35775706 PMCID: PMC9248239 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of innovative drugs, developed for precision medicine, have shown impressive activity in neoplastic patients with rare molecular targets, independently from the site and type of tumor. This gave rise to the concept of agnostic treatments in oncology. The detection of such rare targets is a prerequisite for these treatments and is nowadays one of the main challenges in diagnostic molecular pathology. Various algorithms, new diagnostic strategies and pathological workflows have been suggested to help pathologists in the detection of these rare molecular alterations. An emblematic example of biological targets for agnostic treatments is represented by genetic rearrangements affecting members of the Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase (NTRK) gene family. These gene rearrangements have an unusual dual mode of distribution: the first, at high frequency in some very rare neoplasms, and the second with extremely lower frequencies in more common tumors. Even in the context of an agnostic approach, knowledge of site, histotype and prevalence of the tumors carrying these genetic lesions may be helpful to guide the pathologist in the daily effort in search of these molecular alterations. This review examines the prevalence of NTRK gene fusions in different forms of solid tumors, based on the largest studies to date, reports a comprehensive diagnostic algorithm and an innovative pathological workflow for rapid screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Marchetti
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Section, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Benedetta Ferro
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Section, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Pasciuto
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Section, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Claudia Zampacorta
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Section, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Fiamma Buttitta
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Section, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Emanuela D'Angelo
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Section, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
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28
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Xue C, Li G, Zheng Q, Gu X, Bao Z, Lu J, Li L. The functional roles of the circRNA/Wnt axis in cancer. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:108. [PMID: 35513849 PMCID: PMC9074313 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
CircRNAs, covalently closed noncoding RNAs, are widely expressed in a wide range of species ranging from viruses to plants to mammals. CircRNAs were enriched in the Wnt pathway. Aberrant Wnt pathway activation is involved in the development of various types of cancers. Accumulating evidence indicates that the circRNA/Wnt axis modulates the expression of cancer-associated genes and then regulates cancer progression. Wnt pathway-related circRNA expression is obviously associated with many clinical characteristics. CircRNAs could regulate cell biological functions by interacting with the Wnt pathway. Moreover, Wnt pathway-related circRNAs are promising potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and treatment. In our review, we summarized the recent research progress on the role and clinical application of Wnt pathway-related circRNAs in tumorigenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xue
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Ganglei Li
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiuxian Zheng
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Gu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyi Bao
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Juan Lu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, 310003 Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, 310003 Hangzhou, China
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29
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Wang H, Li ZW, Ou Q, Wu X, Nagasaka M, Shao Y, Ou SHI, Yang Y. NTRK fusion positive colorectal cancer is a unique subset of CRC with high TMB and microsatellite instability. Cancer Med 2022; 11:2541-2549. [PMID: 35506567 PMCID: PMC9249987 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
TRK fusions are rare but targetable mutations which occur across a wide variety of cancer types. We report the prevalence of approximately 0.7% for NTRK‐positive colorectal cancer (CRC) by genetically profiling 2519 colonic and rectal tumors. The aberrations of APC and TP53 frequently co‐occurred with NTRK gene fusions, whereas RAS/BRAF oncogenic alterations and NTRK fusions were almost always mutually exclusive. NTRK‐driven colorectal cancer patients demonstrated increased TMB (median = 53 mut/MB, 95% CI: 36.8–68.0 mut/MB), high microsatellite instability, and an enrichment for POLE/POLD1 mutations when compared to molecularly unstratified colorectal cancer population. These data shed light on possible future approach of multimodality treatment regimen including TRK‐targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in NTRK‐positive CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Qiuxiang Ou
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xue Wu
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Misako Nagasaka
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Yang Shao
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sai-Hong Ignatius Ou
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, California, USA
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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30
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Qian X, Zong W, Ma L, Yang Z, Chen W, Yan J, Xu J. MM-associated circular RNA downregulates microRNA-19a through methylation to suppress proliferation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Bioengineered 2022; 13:9294-9300. [PMID: 35387554 PMCID: PMC9161914 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2051815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Opposite roles of circular RNA MM-associated circular RNA (circ-MYBL2) have been observed in different malignancies, and its role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) is unknown. Our preliminary sequencing data revealed its inverse correlation with microRNA-19a (miR-19a). This study was performed to explore the role of circ-MYBL2 in PA and its crosstalk with miR-19a. The accumulation of circ-MYBL2 and miR-19a in PA was detected by RT-qPCR. Participation of circ-MYBL2 in the regulation of miR-19a and its RNA gene methylation was studied with an overexpression assay, followed by RT-qPCR and MSP analyses. The role of miR-19a and circ-MYBL2 in PA cell proliferation and movement was evaluated using the BrdU assay and the Transwell assay, respectively. Downregulation of circ-MYBL2 and upregulation of miR-19a were observed in PA. In PA cells, circ-MYBL2 decreased the accumulation of miR-19a but increased its RNA gene methylation. Overexpression of circ-MYBL2 decreased PA cell proliferation and movement, while overexpression of miR-19a showed an opposite effect. In addition, circ-MYBL2 suppressed the role of miR-19a in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, circ-MYBL2 was downregulated in PA and it downregulated miR-19a through methylation to suppress PA cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinye Qian
- Center of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Disease, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Wenru Zong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai City, PR. China
| | - Liqing Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai City, PR. China
| | - Zhoujing Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai City, PR. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai City, PR. China
| | - Jun Yan
- Center of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Disease, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Jianghui Xu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai City, PR. China
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31
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Liu F, Wei Y, Zhang H, Jiang J, Zhang P, Chu Q. NTRK Fusion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Diagnosis, Therapy, and TRK Inhibitor Resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:864666. [PMID: 35372074 PMCID: PMC8968138 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.864666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion has been identified as an oncogenic driver of various solid tumors, and it is rare in non-smalll cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a frequency of approximately less than 1%. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is of priority for detecting NTRK fusions, especially RNA-based NGS. Currently, the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors have shown promising efficacy and well tolerance in patients with NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors, regardless of tumor histology. The first-generation TRK inhibitors (larotrectinib and entrectinib) are recommended as the first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients with positive NTRK fusion. However, TRK inhibitor resistance can eventually occur due to on-target or off-target mechanisms. Further studies are under investigation to overcome resistance and improve survival. Interestingly, NTRK fusion might be the mechanism of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation. Regarding immunotherapy, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC patients harboring NTRK fusion has yet to be well described. In this review, we elucidate the function of NTRK genes, summarize the diagnostic techniques for NTRK fusions, and present clinical data for TRK inhibitors; we also discuss potential mechanisms of resistance to TRK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuxuan Wei
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- The Second Clinical College of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jizong Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Jizong Jiang,
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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32
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Hosein AN, Dougan SK, Aguirre AJ, Maitra A. Translational advances in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapy. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:272-286. [PMID: 35352061 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00349-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer that is most frequently detected at advanced stages, limiting treatment options to systemic chemotherapy with modest clinical responses. Here, we review recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy for treating subtypes of PDAC with diverse molecular alterations. We focus on the current preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the potential of these approaches and the promise of combinatorial regimens to improve the lives of patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel Nasser Hosein
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Advocate Aurora Health, Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, Sheboygan, WI, USA.
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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33
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Roles of fusion genes in digestive system cancers: dawn for cancer precision therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 171:103622. [PMID: 35124200 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For advanced and advanced tumors of the digestive system, personalized, precise treatment could be a lifesaving medicine. With the development of next-generation sequencing technology, detection of fusion genes in solid tumors has become more extensive. Some fusion gene targeting therapies have been written into the guidelines for digestive tract tumors, such as for neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. There are also many fusion genes being investigated as potential future therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the current detection methods for fusion genes, fusion genes written into the digestive system tumor guidelines, and potential fusion gene therapy targets in different organs to discuss the possibility of clinical treatments for these targets in digestive system tumors.
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34
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Barros AG, Pulido CF, Machado M, Brito MJ, Couto N, Sousa O, Melo SA, Mansinho H. Treatment optimization of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2021; 59:110. [PMID: 34859257 PMCID: PMC8651228 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumor types, being the sixth leading cause of mortality worldwide and the fourth in Europe. Globally, it has a mortality/incidence ratio of 98%, and the 5‑year survival rate in Europe is only 3%. Although risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol consumption and genetic factors, have been identified, the causes of PDAC remain elusive. Additionally, the only curative treatment for PDAC is surgery with negative margins. However, upon diagnosis, ~30% of the patients already present with locally advanced disease. In these cases, a multidisciplinary approach is required to improve disease‑related symptoms and prolong patient survival. In the present article, a comprehensive review of PDAC epidemiology, physiology and treatment is provided. Moreover, guidelines on patient treatment are suggested. Among the different available therapeutic options for the treatment of advanced PDAC, results are modest, most likely due to the complexity of the disease, and so the prognostic remains poor. Molecular approaches based on multi‑omics research are promising and will contribute to groundbreaking personalized medicine. Thus, economic investment that promotes research of pancreatic cancer will be critical to the development of more efficient diagnostic and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabela G. Barros
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina F. Pulido
- Department of Medical Oncology, Luz Lisbon Hospital, 1500-650 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manuela Machado
- Department of Medical Oncology, Entre o Douro e Vouga Hospital Center (CHEDV), 4520-211 Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
| | - Maria José Brito
- Pathologic Anatomy Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal
| | - Nuno Couto
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Centre, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Champalimaud Research Centre, 1400-038 Lisbon, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Olga Sousa
- Radiotherapy Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, 4200-072 Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia A. Melo
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health of University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hélder Mansinho
- Hemato-Oncology Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal
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35
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Bukhari N, Abdalla K, Ibnshamsa F, Alselwi W, Al-Shakir S, Alqahtani M. Exceptional Response to Second-Line Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Cureus 2021; 13:e18756. [PMID: 34796055 PMCID: PMC8589452 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an extremely lethal malignancy with the majority of patients presenting with advanced disease. Typically, fit patients with advanced unresectable disease are treated with chemotherapy, which comprises either first-line folfirinox (FNX) or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GNP) regimens based on level 1 evidence. To our knowledge, robust evidence for second-line GNP post FNX does not exist. We herein report four cases treated at our institute with second-line GNP. Amongst those were patients with durable responses lasting over a year, which is extremely rare in stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedal Bukhari
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAU.,Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | - Khalda Abdalla
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAU
| | - Fahad Ibnshamsa
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAU
| | - Waleed Alselwi
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAU
| | - Shakir Al-Shakir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAU
| | - Mohammed Alqahtani
- Multiorgan Transplant Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAU
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36
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Ma J, Wang B, Meng E, Meng X. Case report: identification of ERC1-RET fusion in a patient with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gland Surg 2021; 10:2874-2879. [PMID: 34733735 DOI: 10.21037/gs-21-469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy. Currently, treatment strategies for PDAC are limited because its molecular characteristics have not yet been clarified. Different RET fusions have been reported in diverse solid tumors, especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) such as cabozantinib, vandetanib and lenvatinib, as well as selective inhibitors of RET alterations like selpercatinib (LOXO-292) and pralsetinib (BLU-667) have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with RET fusion-positive tumors, such as thyroid cancer, renal cell, NSCLC, and so on. However, few studies have been reported about the association between RET fusions and PDAC. ERC1-RET fusion is a rare rearrangement. To date, it has only been reported in lung cancer and thyroid cancer. Studies of ERC1-RET fusion in PDAC have not yet been explored. In this study, we reported an ERC1-RET fusion in a 60-year-old female patient with PDAC. To the best of our knowledge, this case was the first report about ERC1-RET fusion in a patient with PDAC. It is a pity that the patient refused targeted therapy for personal reasons. Our study has shed a new light on the companion diagnostics and targeted therapy for the patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Baosheng Wang
- Pancreatic Endocrinology Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Erhong Meng
- ChosenMed Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangpeng Meng
- Pancreatic Endocrinology Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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37
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Hu HF, Ye Z, Qin Y, Xu XW, Yu XJ, Zhuo QF, Ji SR. Mutations in key driver genes of pancreatic cancer: molecularly targeted therapies and other clinical implications. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1725-1741. [PMID: 33574569 PMCID: PMC8563973 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers, with a minimal difference between its incidence rate and mortality rate. Advances in oncology over the past several decades have dramatically improved the overall survival of patients with multiple cancers due to the implementation of new techniques in early diagnosis, therapeutic drugs, and personalized therapy. However, pancreatic cancers remain recalcitrant, with a 5-year relative survival rate of <9%. The lack of measures for early diagnosis, strong resistance to chemotherapy, ineffective adjuvant chemotherapy and the unavailability of molecularly targeted therapy are responsible for the high mortality rate of this notorious disease. Genetically, PDAC progresses as a complex result of the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressors. Although next-generation sequencing has identified numerous new genetic alterations, their clinical implications remain unknown. Classically, oncogenic mutations in genes such as KRAS and loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressors, such as TP53, CDNK2A, DPC4/SMAD4, and BRCA2, are frequently observed in PDAC. Currently, research on these key driver genes is still the main focus. Therefore, studies assessing the functions of these genes and their potential clinical implications are of paramount importance. In this review, we summarize the biological function of key driver genes and pharmaceutical targets in PDAC. In addition, we conclude the results of molecularly targeted therapies in clinical trials and discuss how to utilize these genetic alterations in further clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-feng Hu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Zeng Ye
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yi Qin
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xiao-wu Xu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xian-jun Yu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Qi-feng Zhuo
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Shun-rong Ji
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
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Ostios-Garcia L, Villamayor J, Garcia-Lorenzo E, Vinal D, Feliu J. Understanding the immune response and the current landscape of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6775-6793. [PMID: 34790007 PMCID: PMC8567475 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i40.6775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive tumor with high lethality. Even with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other locoregional or systemic therapies, the survival rates for PDAC are low and have not significantly changed in the past decades. The special characteristics of the PDAC's microenvironment and its complex immune escape mechanism need to be considered when designing novel therapeutic approaches in this disease. PDAC is characterized by chronic inflammation with a high rate of tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells and a low rate of natural killer and effector T cells. The pancreatic microenvironment is a fibrotic, microvascularized stroma that isolates the tumor from systemic vascularization. Immunotherapy, a novel approach that has demonstrated effectiveness in certain solid tumors, has failed to show any practice-changing results in pancreatic cancer, with the exception of PDACs with mismatch repair deficiency and high tumor mutational burden, which show prolonged survival rates with immunotherapy. Currently, numerous clinical trials are attempting to assess the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies in PDAC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell transfer, alone or in combination with other immunotherapeutic agents, chemoradiotherapy, and other targeted therapies. A deep understanding of the immune response will help in the development of new therapeutic strategies leading to improved clinical outcomes for patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Ostios-Garcia
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Julia Villamayor
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Esther Garcia-Lorenzo
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - David Vinal
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Jaime Feliu
- Department of Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, IDIPAZ, CIBERONC, Cátedra UAM-AMGEN, Madrid 28046, Spain
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Meng F, Lu L, Tan Y, Duan Q, Lu H. Case Report: A Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patient With Concurrent Targetable Somatic Novel KANK1-ALK, UPP2-NTRK3 Fusion, and Pathogenetic Germline BRCA Mutation. Front Oncol 2021; 11:757965. [PMID: 34671564 PMCID: PMC8521337 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.757965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is presently one of the cancers with the worst survival rates. The current treatment options for PDAC are relatively scarce due to insufficient understanding of molecular characteristics and subtypes of PDAC. Based on next-generation sequencing (NGS), we firstly presented a case about a KRAS wild-type pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patient harboring a concurrent targetable rare somatic novel KANK1-ALK, UPP2-NTRK3 fusion, and pathogenetic germline BRCA mutation. These two novel fusion statuses were assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Our findings demonstrated that comprehensive and systematic screening of PDAC for actionable genomic alteration may substantially improve the therapeutic prospects for a sizeable fraction of patients with PDAC. To improve the management of PDAC in an era of precision medicine, it is important to identify ALK or NTRK fusion-positive and pathogenic germline mutation subsets of patients who can benefit from targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Meng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Le Lu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuan Tan
- The Medical Department, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China.,Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China.,The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Qianqian Duan
- The Medical Department, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China.,Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China.,The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Hongwei Lu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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40
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Singh H, Perez K, Wolpin BM, Aguirre AJ. Beyond the Front Line: Emerging Data for Maintenance Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:3199-3206. [PMID: 34428095 PMCID: PMC8500570 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.01510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshabad Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kimberly Perez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brian M. Wolpin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Andrew J. Aguirre
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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41
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Tonini V, Zanni M. Pancreatic cancer in 2021: What you need to know to win. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:5851-5889. [PMID: 34629806 PMCID: PMC8475010 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i35.5851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the solid tumors with the worst prognosis. Five-year survival rate is less than 10%. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment, but the tumor is often diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease and surgery could be performed in a very limited number of patients. Moreover, surgery is still associated with high post-operative morbidity, while other therapies still offer very disappointing results. This article reviews every aspect of pancreatic cancer, focusing on the elements that can improve prognosis. It was written with the aim of describing everything you need to know in 2021 in order to face this difficult challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Tonini
- Department of Medical Sciences and Surgery, University of Bologna- Emergency Surgery Unit, IRCCS Sant’Orsola Hospital, Bologna 40121, Italy
| | - Manuel Zanni
- University of Bologna, Emergency Surgery Unit, IRCCS Sant'Orsola Hospital, Bologna 40121, Italy
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42
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Abstract
For several decades, cytotoxic chemotherapy was the mainstay of treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Advances in molecular profiling have identified predictive genomic alterations in PDAC-the germline and somatic genome are now routinely interrogated in patients with PDAC because of their therapeutic relevance. The composite role of the epithelial cell compartment and the tumor microenvironment in defining PDAC biology needs further elucidation to deconvolute the spatiotemporal heterogeneity appreciated in this disease. Novel clinical trial approaches leveraging signal seeking, adaptive statistical designs, and master protocols using several candidate drugs that target relevant therapeutic targets are are essential to unlocking the potential of precision medicine in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben George
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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Wakiya T, Ishido K, Yoshizawa T, Kanda T, Hakamada K. Roles of the nervous system in pancreatic cancer. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2021; 5:623-633. [PMID: 34585047 PMCID: PMC8452481 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with its extremely poor prognosis, presents a substantial health problem worldwide. Outcomes have improved thanks to progress in surgical technique, chemotherapy, pre-/postoperative management, and centralization of patient care to high-volume centers. However, our goals are yet to be met. Recently, exome sequencing using PDAC surgical specimens has demonstrated that the most frequently altered genes were the axon guidance genes, indicating involvement of the nervous system in PDAC carcinogenesis. Moreover, perineural invasion has been widely identified as one poor prognostic factor. The combination of innovative technologies and extensive clinician experience with the nervous system come together here to create a new treatment option. However, evidence has emerged that suggests that the relationship between cancer and nerves in PDAC, the underlying mechanism, is not fully understood. In an attempt to tackle this lethal cancer, this review summarizes the anatomy and physiology of the pancreas and discusses the role of the nervous system in the pathophysiology of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiichi Wakiya
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHirosaki University Graduate School of MedicineHirosakiJapan
| | - Keinosuke Ishido
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHirosaki University Graduate School of MedicineHirosakiJapan
| | - Tadashi Yoshizawa
- Department of Pathology and BioscienceHirosaki University Graduate School of MedicineHirosakiJapan
| | - Taishu Kanda
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHirosaki University Graduate School of MedicineHirosakiJapan
| | - Kenichi Hakamada
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHirosaki University Graduate School of MedicineHirosakiJapan
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Michl P, Löhr M, Neoptolemos JP, Capurso G, Rebours V, Malats N, Ollivier M, Ricciardiello L. UEG position paper on pancreatic cancer. Bringing pancreatic cancer to the 21st century: Prevent, detect, and treat the disease earlier and better. United European Gastroenterol J 2021; 9:860-871. [PMID: 34431604 PMCID: PMC8435257 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the deadliest cancer worldwide with a 98% loss-of-life expectancy and a 30% increase in the disability-adjusted life years during the last decade in Europe. The disease cannot be effectively prevented nor being early detected. When diagnosed, 80% of patients have tumors that are in incurable stages, while for those who undergo surgery, 80% of patients will present with local or distant metastasis. Importantly, chemotherapies are far from being effective. OBJECTIVE Pancreatic cancer represents a great challenge and, at the same time, a huge opportunity for advancing our understanding on the basis of the disease, the molecular profiles, that would lead to develop tools for early detection and effective treatments, thus, boosting patient survival. RESULTS Research on pancreatic cancer has being receiving little or minimal funds from European funding bodies. UEG is calling for public-private partnerships that would effectively fund research on pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION This would increase our understanding of this disease and better treatment, through pan-European efforts that take advantage of the strong academic European research landscape on pancreatic cancer, and the contribution by the industry of all sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Michl
- Department of Internal Medicine IUniversity Medicine Halle (Saale)HalleGermany
| | - Matthias Löhr
- Department of CancerKarolinska University Hospital and Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Gabriele Capurso
- Pancreato‐Biliary Endoscopy and Endosonography DivisionPancreas Translational and Clinical Research CenterIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific InstituteMilanItaly
| | - Vinciane Rebours
- Pancreatology UnitBeaujon HospitalAPHPUniversité de ParisParisFrance
| | - Nuria Malats
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology GroupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)CIBERONCPancreatic Cancer Europe (PCE)MadridSpain
| | | | - Luigi Ricciardiello
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di BolognaBolognaItaly
- Department of Medical and Surgical SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
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Jibiki T, Nishimura H, Sengoku S, Kodama K. Regulations, Open Data and Healthcare Innovation: A Case of MSK-IMPACT and Its Implications for Better Cancer Care. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143448. [PMID: 34298662 PMCID: PMC8304506 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advancement in both science and technology has contributed to the development of novel diagnostic technologies; such technologies enable medical practitioners to diagnose diseases that could not be previously detected. However, in order to translate new technologies into practical applications, various types of challenges need to be overcome. To address these challenges, including those in clinical management and regulatory science, healthcare policies have been constantly implemented to promote the practical application of outcomes generated by healthcare innovation. This study conducted comparative analyses of three tumor profiling tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, hypothesizing that the FDA’s regulatory reforms, early application of new technologies to both research and clinical settings, and open data accumulated as a result of large-scale research programs have promoted new drug development in oncology. The study then discussed the implications potentially suggested by the outcomes and challenges of the three tests. Abstract This study investigated a case of Memorial Sloan Kettering-Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets (MSK-IMPACT), a tumor profiling test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, to examine what factors would contribute to healthcare innovation. First, we set the following three parameters to observe cases: (i) the FDA regulatory reforms, (ii) early application of new technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), to both research and clinical settings, and (iii) accumulation of open data. Then, we performed a comparative analysis of MSK-IMPACT with FoundationOne CDx and Oncomine Dx Target Test, both of which were FDA-approved tumor profiling tests launched in 2017. As a result, we found that MSK-IMPACT secures neutrality as a non-profit organization, achieves the active incorporation of basic research results, and performs superiorly in clinical operations, such as patient enrollment. On the contrary, we confirmed that FoundationOne CDx was the most prominent case in terms of the number of new drugs and expanded indications approved in which the FDA’s expedited approval programs were considerably utilized. Consequently, to uncover the full potential of MSK-IMPACT, it is suggested that more intersectoral collaborative activities between various healthcare stakeholders, in particular, pharmaceutical companies, for driving clinical development must be carried out based on an organizational framework that facilitates collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaharu Jibiki
- Department of Innovation Science, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan; (T.J.); (H.N.)
| | - Hayato Nishimura
- Department of Innovation Science, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan; (T.J.); (H.N.)
- Policy Planning Division, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Shintaro Sengoku
- Department of Innovation Science, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan; (T.J.); (H.N.)
- Life Style by Design Research Unit, Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-3454-8907
| | - Kota Kodama
- Graduate School of Technology Management, Ritsumeikan University, Osaka 567-8570, Japan;
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a genetic disease, and the recurrent genetic alterations characteristic of pancreatic cancer indicate the cellular processes that are targeted for malignant transformation. In addition to somatic alterations in the most common driver genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53 and SMAD4), large-scale studies have revealed major roles for genetic alterations of the SWI/SNF and COMPASS complexes, copy number alterations in GATA6 and MYC that partially define phenotypes of pancreatic cancer, and the role(s) of polyploidy and chromothripsis as factors contributing to pancreatic cancer biology and progression. Germline variants that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer continue to be discovered along with a greater appreciation of the features of pancreatic cancers with mismatch repair deficiencies and homologous recombination deficiencies that confer sensitivity to therapeutic targeting. Wild-type KRAS pancreatic cancers, some of which are driven by alternative oncogenic events affecting NRG1 or NTRK1 - for which targeted therapies exist - further underscore that pancreatic cancer is formally entering the era of precision medicine. Given the vast developments within this field, here we review the wide-ranging and most current information related to pancreatic cancer genomics with the goal of integrating this information into a unifying description of the life history of pancreatic cancer.
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47
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Lee MS, Pant S. Personalizing Medicine With Germline and Somatic Sequencing in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Current Treatments and Novel Opportunities. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2021; 41:1-13. [PMID: 33929876 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_321255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Performing germline and somatic sequencing in locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer can identify potentially targetable genomic aberrations that impact current standard treatment options or eligibility for biomarker-targeted clinical trials. Testing for deleterious germline mutations in BRCA1/2 impacts patient selection for platinum-based chemotherapy regimens and selection of patients who are candidates to receive maintenance therapy with olaparib. Additional germline mutations also similarly introduce potential vulnerabilities to the cancers that arise and may be targeted by clinical trials. Somatic mutation testing also provides opportunities for optimal selection of patients for biomarker-driven clinical trials. Although KRAS mutations are found in 90% to 93% of pancreatic cancers, there are increasing opportunities for therapies against particular mutant KRAS isoforms, especially with the advent of KRAS G12C-specific small molecule inhibitors, and KRAS targeting trials will increasingly require identification of the specific KRAS mutation present. There are also a range of tumor site-agnostic molecular features, such as microsatellite instability and NTRK fusions that, although rarely found in pancreatic cancers, impact selection of patients who have the potential for dramatic benefit with immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab or TRK inhibitors such as larotrectinib or entrectinib, respectively, and thus motivate broader somatic mutation and fusion testing for patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancers. Multiple other rare actionable aberrations, particularly gene fusions in the 8% to 10% of KRAS wild-type pancreatic cancers, are also known, and enrollment in basket trials for these rare patient cohorts is highly encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Lee
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Shubham Pant
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.,Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Smithy JW, O'Reilly EM. Pancreas cancer: Therapeutic trials in metastatic disease. J Surg Oncol 2021; 123:1475-1488. [PMID: 33831245 PMCID: PMC8606164 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in 2021. Cytotoxic therapies are the therapeutic mainstay for PDAC. The recent approval of olaparib as maintenance therapy for germline BRCA1/2-mutated PDAC and pembrolizumab for mismatch repair deficient PDAC represent molecularly targeted approaches for this disease. Investigational therapeutic strategies include targeting the stroma, metabolism, tumor microenvironment, and the immune system, and selected approaches are reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Smithy
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
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Mannarapu M, Dariya B, Bandapalli OR. Application of single-cell sequencing technologies in pancreatic cancer. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:2429-2437. [PMID: 33599893 PMCID: PMC8119256 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04095-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the third lethal disease for cancer-related mortalities globally. This is mainly because of the aggressive nature and heterogeneity of the disease that is diagnosed only in their advanced stages. Thus, it is challenging for researchers and clinicians to study the molecular mechanism involved in the development of this aggressive disease. The single-cell sequencing technology enables researchers to study each and every individual cell in a single tumor. It can be used to detect genome, transcriptome, and multi-omics of single cells. The current single-cell sequencing technology is now becoming an important tool for the biological analysis of cells, to find evolutionary relationship between multiple cells and unmask the heterogeneity present in the tumor cells. Moreover, its sensitivity nature is found progressive enabling to detect rare cancer cells, circulating tumor cells, metastatic cells, and analyze the intratumor heterogeneity. Furthermore, these single-cell sequencing technologies also promoted personalized treatment strategies and next-generation sequencing to predict the disease. In this review, we have focused on the applications of single-cell sequencing technology in identifying cancer-associated cells like cancer-associated fibroblast via detecting circulating tumor cells. We also included advanced technologies involved in single-cell sequencing and their advantages. The future research indeed brings the single-cell sequencing into the clinical arena and thus could be beneficial for diagnosis and therapy of PC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mastan Mannarapu
- Department of Biotechnology, Dravidian University, Kuppam, Chittoor, Andra Pradesh, 517 426, India.
| | - Begum Dariya
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Vanasthali, Rajasthan, 304022, India
| | - Obul Reddy Bandapalli
- Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Fusco MJ, Saeed-Vafa D, Carballido EM, Boyle TA, Malafa M, Blue KL, Teer JK, Walko CM, McLeod HL, Hicks JK, Extermann M, Fleming JB, Knepper TC, Kim DW. Identification of Targetable Gene Fusions and Structural Rearrangements to Foster Precision Medicine in KRAS Wild-Type Pancreatic Cancer. JCO Precis Oncol 2021; 5:PO.20.00265. [PMID: 34250383 PMCID: PMC8232071 DOI: 10.1200/po.20.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has recently been described that alternative oncogenic drivers may be found in KRAS wild-type (KRAS WT) pancreatic cancers. This study aimed to determine the incidence of targetable gene fusions present in KRAS WT pancreatic adenocarcinoma and response to targeted therapy. METHODS One hundred consecutive patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent targeted next-generation sequencing using DNA sequencing with RNA sequencing (n = 47) or without RNA sequencing (n = 53) at a single institution were included in the study. The frequency and landscape of targetable fusions in KRAS WT pancreatic adenocarcinoma was characterized and compared with the frequency of fusions in KRAS-mutated (KRAS MUT) pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Results were validated in two independent cohorts using data from AACR GENIE (n = 1,252) and TCGA (n = 150). The clinical history of fusion-positive patients who received targeted treatment is described. RESULTS Pancreatic cancers from 13 of 100 patients (13%) were found to be KRAS WT. Targetable fusions were identified in 4/13 (31%) KRAS WT tumors compared with 0/87 (0%) KRAS MUT pancreatic adenocarcinomas (P = .0002). One patient with a novel MET fusion had a complete response to targeted therapy with crizotinib that is ongoing at 12+ months of treatment. In the validation cohorts, gene fusions were identified in 18/97 (19%) and 2/10 (20%) KRAS WT tumors reported in the AACR GENIE and TCGA cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSION Oncogene fusions are present in KRAS WT pancreatic adenocarcinomas at an increased frequency when compared with KRAS MUT pancreatic adenocarcinomas. As these fusions may be susceptible to targeted therapy, molecular analyses for the detection of fusions in KRAS WT pancreatic adenocarcinomas may warrant increased consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Fusco
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management Section of Precision Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | | | | | - Theresa A. Boyle
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Mokenge Malafa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Kirsten L. Blue
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Jamie K. Teer
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Christine M. Walko
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management Section of Precision Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Howard L. McLeod
- Geriatric Oncology Consortium, Tampa, FL
- USF Taneja College of Pharmacy, Tampa, FL
| | - J. Kevin Hicks
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management Section of Precision Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Martine Extermann
- Department of Senior Adult Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Jason B. Fleming
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Todd C. Knepper
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management Section of Precision Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Dae Won Kim
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
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