Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy improves survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric cancer: final results of a phase III randomized clinical trial

Effect of HIPEC on Peritoneal Recurrence in Peritoneal Metastasis Treated With Cytoreductive Surgery: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is a late-stage manifestation of intra-abdominal malignancies. The current standard of care indicates that cure can only be achieved with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) which is often indicated with concurrent adjuvant hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). However, the utility of HIPEC within subsets of PM is not fully understood. We seek to compare the effectiveness of HIPEC in improving peritoneal recurrence rates in PM of different origins.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of trials on the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, last searched in August 2021. Biases were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials as well as the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) framework.

RESULTS

7 gastric PM studies, 3 ovarian PM studies, and 3 colorectal PM studies were included. Recurrence-free survival was improved in the HIPEC + CRS cohort in 5 gastric trials but only 1 ovarian trial and none of colorectal origin.

DISCUSSION

Our findings indicate decent effectiveness of HIPEC in gastric PM, but limited utility in ovarian and colorectal PM. Limitations in the current literature are attributed to the paucity of data available, a lack of homogeneity and consideration of novel and personalised treatment regimens. We implore for further studies to be conducted with a focus on patient selection and stratification, and suggest a reframing of approach towards modern molecular and targeted therapeutic options in future studies of HIPEC.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#registryofsystematicreviewsmeta-analyses/registryofsystematicreviewsmeta-analysesdetails/60c1ffff0c1b78001e8efbe3/, identifier reviewregistry1166.

Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Complications after Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC in Gastric Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) frequently show peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). PC reduces life expectancy and quality of life. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been shown to improve overall survival. Nevertheless, it has been reported that CRS and HIPEC are accompanied by an increase in postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the complications associated with CRS and HIPEC and overall and disease-free survival.

METHODS

Patients with AGC and PC, who received complete CRS and HIPEC, were included in the HIPEC group (n = 15). Patients with AGC but without PC, who received resection of the primary tumor alone, constituted the control group (n = 43).

RESULTS

Patients enrolled in the HIPEC group presented with a median PCI of 7. In comparison with the control group, no differences were found in patient characteristics, risk factors, pathological findings, and operative procedures. Twenty-five percentage of the patients in both groups suffered from serious postoperative complications (CDC ≥3a). Surgical and medical complications, rate of reoperation, and mortality did not differ. Also, the recurrence pattern, median survival, and 1- and 2-year survival rates showed no differences.

CONCLUSION

CRS and HIPEC do not lead to an increased postoperative morbidity and mortality in AGC with PC. Albeit the poorer prognosis of patients with PC, survival of both groups was comparable.

Looking for a strategy in treating peritoneal gastric cancer carcinomatosis: an Italian multicenter Gastric Cancer Research group's analysis

BACKGROUND

The present study provides a snapshot of Italian patients with peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer treated by surgery in Italian centers belonging to the Italian Research Group on Gastric Cancer. Prognostic factors affecting survival in such cohort of patients were evaluated with the final aim to identify patients who may benefit from radical intent surgery.

METHODS

It is a multicentric retrospective study based on a prospectively collected database including demographics, clinical, surgical, pathological, and follow-up data of patients with gastric cancer and synchronous macroscopic peritoneal metastases. Patients were surgically treated from January 2005 to January 2017. We focused on patients with macroscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) treated with upfront surgery in order to provide homogeneous evidences.

RESULTS

Our results show that patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis cannot be considered all lost. Strictly selected cases (R0/R1 and P1 patients) could benefit from an aggressive surgical approach performing an extended lymphadenectomy and HIPEC treatment.

CONCLUSION

The main result of the study is that GC patients with limited peritoneal involvement can have a survival benefit from a surgery with "radical oncological intent", that means extended lymphadenectomy and R0 resection. The retrospective nature of this study is an important bias, and for this reason, we have started a prospective multicentric study including Italian stage IV patients that hopefully will give us more answers.

Preventive HIPEC in combination with perioperative FLOT versus FLOT alone for resectable diffuse type gastric and gastroesophageal junction type II/III adenocarcinoma - the phase III "PREVENT"- (FLOT9) trial of the AIO /CAOGI /ACO

BACKGROUND

The main reason for treatment failure after curative surgical resection of gastric cancer is intra-abdominal spread, with 40-50% peritoneal seeding as primary localization of recurrence. Peritoneal relapse is seen in 60-70% of tumors of diffuse type, compared to only 20-30% of intestinal type. Hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is an increasingly used therapy method for patients with peritoneal metastases. The preventive use of HIPEC could represent an elegant approach for patients (pts) before macroscopic peritoneal seeding, since pts. with operable disease are fit and may have potential risk of microscopic involvement, thus having a theoretical chance of cure with HIPEC even without the need for cytoreduction. No results from a PCRT from the Western hemisphere have yet been published.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label study including a total of 200 pts. with localized and locally advanced diffuse or mixed type (Laurens's classification) adenocarcinoma of the stomach and Type II/III GEJ. All enrolled pts. will have received 3-6 pre-operative cycles of biweekly FLOT (Docetaxel 50 mg/m2; Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2; Leucovorin 200 mg/m2; 5-FU 2600 mg/m2, q2wk). Pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive surgery only and postoperative FLOT (control arm) or surgery + intraoperative HIPEC (cisplatin 75 mg/m2 solution administered at a temperature of 42 °C for 90 min) and postoperative FLOT (experimental arm). Surgery is carried out as gastrectomy or transhiatal extended gastrectomy. Primary endpoint is PFS/DFS, major secondary endpoints are OS, rate of pts. with peritoneal relapse at 2 and 3 years, perioperative morbidity/mortality and quality of life. The trial starts with a safety run-in phase. After 20 pts. had curatively intended resection in Arm B, an interim safety analysis is performed. Recruitment has already started and first patient in was on January 18th, 2021.

DISCUSSION

If the PREVENT concept proves to be effective, this could potentially lead to a new standard of therapy. On the contrary, if the outcome is negative, pts. with gastric cancer and no peritoneal involvement will not be treated with HIPEC during surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study is registered on June 25th, 2020 under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04447352 ; EudraCT: 2017-003832-35 .

The Role of CAR-T Cells in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Gastric Cancer: Rationale, Experimental Work, and Clinical Applications

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have shown poor effectiveness in treating peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of gastric origin with a high tumor burden (high peritoneal cancer index), though there are scarce therapy alternatives that are able to improve survival. In experimental studies, chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy has shown encouraging results in gastric cancer and is currently being evaluated in several clinical trials. Regarding PC, CAR-T cell therapy has also proven useful in experimental studies, especially when administered intraperitoneally, as this route improves cell distribution and lifespan. Although these results need to be supported by ongoing clinical trials, CAR-T cells are a promising new therapeutic approach to peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer. In this review, we summarize the current evidence of the use of CAR-T cells in gastric cancer and PC of gastric origin.

The Burden of Peritoneal Metastases from Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review on the Incidence, Risk Factors and Survival

The peritoneum is a common metastatic site in gastric cancer. This systematic review provides an overview of the incidence, risk factors and survival of synchronous peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer. A systematic search was performed to identify studies wherein the incidence, risk factors and survival of gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases were investigated. Of all 38 potentially eligible studies, 17 studies were included based on the eligibility criteria. The incidence of synchronous gastric peritoneal metastases was reviewed for population-based studies (10–21%), for observational cohort studies (2–15%) and for surgical cohort studies (13–40%). Potential risk factors for synchronous gastric peritoneal metastases were younger age, non-cardia gastric cancer, female sex, signet ring cell carcinoma, diffuse type histology or linitis plastica, T4 stage, Hispanic ethnicity and more than one metastatic location. Synchronous peritoneal metastases are commonly diagnosed in patients with gastric cancer with an incidence up to 21% in recent population-based studies. Furthermore, prognosis of patients with gastric peritoneal metastases is poor with median overall survival ranging from 2 to 9 months. The high incidence and poor prognosis require intensive research on diagnostic features and effective treatment options to improve survival.

Prognosis of poorly cohesive gastric cancer after complete cytoreductive surgery with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CYTO-CHIP study)

BACKGROUND

The incidence of gastric poorly cohesive carcinoma (PCC) is increasing. The prognosis for patients with peritoneal metastases remains poor and the role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is controversial. The aim was to clarify the impact of gastric PCC with peritoneal metastases treated by CRS with or without HIPEC.

METHODS

All patients with peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer treated with CRS with or without HIPEC, in 19 French centres, between 1989 and 2014, were identified from institutional databases. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were compared between PCC and non-PCC subtypes, and the possible benefit of HIPEC was assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 277 patients were included (188 PCC, 89 non-PCC). HIPEC was performed in 180 of 277 patients (65 per cent), including 124 of 188 with PCC (66 per cent). Median overall survival (OS) was 14.7 (95 per cent c.i. 12.7 to 17.3) months in the PCC group versus 21.2 (14.7 to 36.4) months in the non-PCC group (P < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, PCC (hazard ratio (HR) 1.51, 95 per cent c.i. 1.01 to 2.25; P = 0.044) was associated with poorer OS, as were pN3, Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI), and resection with a completeness of cytoreduction score of 1, whereas HIPEC was associated with improved OS (HR 0.52; P < 0.001). The benefit of CRS-HIPEC over CRS alone was consistent, irrespective of histology, with a median OS of 16.7 versus 11.3 months (HR 0.60, 0.39 to 0.92; P = 0.018) in the PCC group, and 34.5 versus 14.3 months (HR 0.43, 0.25 to 0.75; P = 0.003) in the non-PCC group. Non-PCC and HIPEC were independently associated with improved recurrence-free survival and fewer peritoneal recurrences. In patients who underwent HIPEC, PCI values of below 7 and less than 13 were predictive of OS in PCC and non-PCC populations respectively.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients, CRS-HIPEC offers acceptable outcomes among those with gastric PCC and long survival for patients without PCC.

Laparoscopic Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Carcinomatosis of Gastric Adenocarcinoma Origin

The use of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in conjunction with cytoreductive surgery has been gaining increasing traction in treating gastric adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the peritoneum in recent years. The addition of laparoscopic HIPEC (LS-HIPEC) to these treatment algorithms has increased the flexibility and adaptability of HIPEC integrating into treatment sequencing, allowing for iterative protocols of LS-HIPEC prior to cytoreduction as neoadjuvant treatment, as well as in the palliation of patients with unresectable disease and uncontrolled ascites. As the use of HIPEC in gastric adenocarcinoma continues to be refined, LS-HIPEC algorithms should continue to be considered and utilized both in curative treatment algorithms as well as in patients in the palliative setting. Given that LS-HIPEC remains a relatively nascent treatment modality, we advocate for its use in the setting of a clinical trial when feasible.

Neoadjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced stage gastric cancer (Review)

Gastric cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies especially when diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease; most often patients diagnosed later during the progression of their disease will present a certain degree of peritoneal contamination such as positive peritoneal cytology or peritoneal metastatic nodules. In such cases most often they then progress to peritoneal carcinomatosis and succumb to the disease within one year. In order to increase the lifespan in such cases multiple therapeutic strategies have been proposed such as radical surgery and intraperitoneal heated chemotherapy or direct intraperitoneal chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. To date, the benefits of intraperitoneal heated chemotherapy at the time of resection have been widely investigated; however the method is still associated with increased rates of perioperative complications. Therefore, attention was focused on investigating the benefits of such procedures as neoadjuvant therapies followed by radical surgery. The aim of the present review was to examine the most efficient therapeutic strategies in advanced-stage gastric cancer such as neoadjuvant laparoscopic heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, perioperative heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy and neoadjuvant systemic and peritoneal chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy for Peritoneal Metastases from Gastric Cancer: Rationale, Current Practice and Ongoing Trials

Peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer play a key role in the fatal prognosis of the disease. The lack of efficacy of actual therapeutic approaches together with the outcomes achieved with checkpoint inhibitors in gastric cancer compel us to address the current state-of-the-art immunotherapy treatment of peritoneal dissemination. The immunogenicity of the peritoneum has been described to be particularly active at omentum and peritoneal lymph nodes. Also, both innate and acquired immunity seems to be involved at different molecular levels. Recent works show PDL1 expression being less present at the peritoneal level; however, some clinical trials have begun to yield results. For example, the ATTRACTION-2 trial has demonstrated the activity of Nivolumab in heavily pretreated patients even though peritoneal metastases were diagnosed in a 30% of them. Despite positive results in the metastatic setting, peritoneal responses to systemic checkpoint inhibitors remains unclear, therefore, new strategies for intraperitoneal immunotherapy are being proposed for different ongoing clinical trials.

Clinical Outcome for Patients Managed with Low-Dose Cisplatin and Doxorubicin Delivered as Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy for Unresectable Peritoneal Metastases of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is increasingly used to manage gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (GCPM).

METHODS

This study analyzed a prospective database of GCPM patients treated with cisplatin and doxorubicin PIPAC (PIPAC-C/D). The outcome criteria were adverse events, pathologic response [peritoneal regression grading score (PRGS)], and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The PIPAC-C/D procedure was scheduled for 144 patients with a median age of 57 years (range 22-88 years). Access to the abdominal cavity for the first PIPAC failed in 11 patients (7.7 %). A total of 296 procedures were performed for 131 patients. Of the 144 patients, 52 (36.1%) underwent one PIPAC, 32 (22.2%) underwent two PIPACs, 24 (16.7%) underwent three PIPACs, and 21 (14.6%) underwent four or more PIPACs. The overall morbidity/mortality was grade 1 for 22 patients (15.3%), grade 2 for 32 patients (22.2%), grade 3 for 7 patients (4.9%), grade 4 for no patients (0%), and grade 5 for 2 patients (1.4%). Of the 37 patients who had three or more PIPACs eligible for histopathologic response analysis, 27 (73%) had major or complete regression (PRGS 1/2). A median OS of 11 months (range 0-61 months) for the total study population and 16 months (range 2-61 months) for the patients with three or more PIPACs was observed. For 10 patients (7%) who underwent cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, the median OS was 15 months (minimum, 4 months; maximum, 27 months). Multivariate analysis showed three or more PIPACs to be an independent prognostic factor for improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.36; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Repetitive PIPAC-C/D ± systemic chemotherapy is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm whether three or more PIPAC-C/Ds improve clinical outcome.

Non-Operative Options for Loco-regional Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is the 5th most common cancer and stage IV melanoma accounts for approximately 4% of new melanoma diagnoses in the United States. The prognosis for regionally advanced disease is poor, but there have been numerous recent advances in the medical management of melanoma in-transit metastases. The goal of this paper is to review currently accepted treatment options for in-transit metastases and introduce emerging therapies. Therapies to be discussed include limb perfusion and infusion, immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and radiation therapy.

Enhanced intratumoural activity of CAR T cells engineered to produce immunomodulators under photothermal control

Treating solid malignancies with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells typically results in poor responses. Immunomodulatory biologics delivered systemically can augment the cells' activity, but off-target toxicity narrows the therapeutic window. Here we show that the activity of intratumoural CAR T cells can be controlled photothermally via synthetic gene switches that trigger the expression of transgenes in response to mild temperature elevations (to 40-42 °C). In vitro, heating engineered primary human T cells for 15-30 min led to over 60-fold-higher expression of a reporter transgene without affecting the cells' proliferation, migration and cytotoxicity. In mice, CAR T cells photothermally heated via gold nanorods produced a transgene only within the tumours. In mouse models of adoptive transfer, the systemic delivery of CAR T cells followed by intratumoural production, under photothermal control, of an interleukin-15 superagonist or a bispecific T cell engager bearing an NKG2D receptor redirecting T cells against NKG2D ligands enhanced antitumour activity and mitigated antigen escape. Localized photothermal control of the activity of engineered T cells may enhance their safety and efficacy.

Neoadjuvant Intraperitoneal and Systemic Chemotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, and S-1 for Gastric Cancer With Peritoneal Metastasis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) remains debatable. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) versus neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NSC) for GCPM.

METHODS

Patients of GCPM received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1 between January 2011 and June 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was carried out to reduce the selection bias. Multivariate Cox regression model was applied to screen the prognostic factors.

RESULTS

After PSM processing, 71 patients in each group were matched among the 186 GCPM patients included. NIPS yielded a better ascites and cytology response to chemotherapy, higher conversion resection rate and R0 resection rate than NSC. The overall survival (OS) rate in NIPS group was better than that in NSC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the P stage, ascites response, conversion surgery rate and R0 resection rate were independent prognostic factors. Subgroup analysis indicated that NIPS showed a survival benefit over NSC only in patients with cT3-4a, P1-2, whose cytology turned negative, and who received conversion surgery; while not in patients with cT4b, P0 or P3, whose cytology did not turn negative, or who did not receive conversion surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

NIPS is a safe and feasible treatment for GCPM, which showed more benefit than NSC.

Starting a peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment program in a developing country: A prospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has become a valuable treatment strategy for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). In Chile, it is an emerging technique. The aim of this study is to describe our protocol and report our perioperative results.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database for patients undergoing exploratory surgery for PC was reviewed. Eligible patients were selected using the peritoneal cancer index in correlation with the primary tumor. Patients underwent HIPEC using mitomycin C. Clinical data and postoperative results were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients underwent exploratory surgery. Most patients were female (55%) with a median age of 62 years (range, 25-83). Complete CRS and HIPEC were achieved in 53 patients. The most frequent primary tumor site was colon-rectum (49%). The median number of resected organs was 4 (range, 1-13). Overall 90-day incidence of major complications was 26%. After a median follow-up of 26 months, 44 patients (83%) in the resected group were alive with no evidence of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The PC treatment program at our institution has been established in a safe manner, with acceptable morbidity comparable to high-volume centers. A comprehensive preoperative evaluation, careful patient selection, and a cohesive team are necessary for successful results.

Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Using Fluorouracil Implants Combined With Radical Resection and Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage III Gastric Cancer: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Clinical Study

Background

Reducing peritoneal recurrence after radical surgery is an important choice to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has the potential to be a promising treatment strategy. In the present study, we conducted a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy using sustained-release fluorouracil implants plus radical gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for cTNM stage III gastric cancer.

Methods

The patients were randomized into intraperitoneal chemotherapy group (sustained-release fluorouracil implants administration after standard D2 radical gastrectomy, and followed by XELOX adjuvant chemotherapy) and control group (standard D2 radical gastrectomy, and followed by XELOX adjuvant chemotherapy). A total of 122 patients from three centers were enrolled from September 2015 to February 2017.

Results

One hundred and two eligible patients completed the treatment course. The median follow-up time was 41.7 months (36.1–52.9 months). The 3-year progression-free survival rate and overall survival of patients in the intraperitoneal chemotherapy group were 43.9% and 49.1%, respectively, which were significantly better than those of the control group, 31.0% and 38.4%. In the intraperitoneal chemotherapy group, the number of cases with peritoneal recurrence was significantly less than that of the control group, 9 cases (17.3%) vs. 19 cases (44.2%). There were neither significant differences between the groups in the incidence of hematogenous metastasis, lymph node metastasis, nor local metastasis.

Conclusion

For cTNM stage III gastric cancer, intraoperative sustained-release fluorouracil implants after radical resection combined with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, could significantly reduce the risk of peritoneal recurrence and prolong PFS.

Surgical Treatment for Gastric Cancer

Surgery is an essential component of curative-intent treatment strategies for gastric cancer. However, the care of each patient with gastric cancer must be individualized based on patient and tumor characteristics. It is important that all physicians who will be caring for patient with gastric cancer understand the current best practices of surgical management to provide patients with the highest quality of care. This article aims to provide this information while acknowledging areas of surgical management that are still controversial.

Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer with Synchronous Peritoneal Metastases: Multicenter Study of 'Italian Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Oncoteam-S.I.C.O.'

Background

The development of multimodality treatment, including cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), has led to promising results in selected patients with peritoneal disease of gastric origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of CRS/HIPEC in the treatment of synchronous peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer.

Methods

The Italian Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Oncoteam—S.I.C.O. retrospective registry included patients with synchronous peritoneal malignancy from gastric cancer submitted to gastrectomy with CRS and HIPEC between 2005 and 2018 from 11 high-volume, specialized centers.

Results

A total of 91 patients with a median age of 58 years (range 26–75) were enrolled. The median overall survival (OS) time for the whole group of patients was 20.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.8–28.5] and the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 7.3 months (95% CI 4–10.6). The completeness of cytoreduction score (CCS) of 0 and Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) score of ≤ 6 groups showed a significantly better long-term survival (median OS 40.7 and 44.3 months, respectively) compared with the incomplete resected groups (median OS 10.7 months, p = 0.003) and PCI score of > 6 group (median OS 13.4 months, p = 0.005). A significant difference was observed in the survival rate according to neoadjuvant treatment (untreated patients: 10.7 months, 95% CI 5.1–16.2; treated patients: 35.3 months, 95% CI 2.8–67.8; p = 0.022).

Conclusions

In referral centers, CRS and HIPEC after neoadjuvant treatment significantly improved survival in selected patients. Patients with a PCI score ≤ 6, complete cytoreduction, negative nodal involvements, and negative cytology had encouraging results, showing a clinically meaningful survival.

Treatment Modality Based Survival in Gastric Carcinoma Patients with Stand-Alone Peritoneal Metastasis: a Case-Control Study

Purpose

To date, there are no promising treatments for gastric carcinoma with peritoneal metastasis. Some researchers have suggested a survival benefit of gastrectomy in select patients. This study investigated the survival of gastric carcinoma patients with stand-alone peritoneal metastasis according to the type of treatment modality.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the data of 132 patients with gastric carcinoma and stand-alone peritoneal metastasis. We performed gastrectomy when the primary tumor was deemed resectable and systemic chemotherapy was administered. We analyzed patient survival according to the type of treatment, and the prognostic value of gastrectomy was evaluated in univariate and multivariate models.

Results

Among all patients, 70 underwent gastrectomy plus chemotherapy, 20 underwent gastrectomy alone, 36 underwent chemotherapy alone, and 6 received supportive care. The median patient survival was 13 months. Patients who underwent gastrectomy had significantly longer survival than those who did not undergo gastrectomy (14 vs. 8 months, P<0.001). Patients who received chemotherapy showed significantly longer survival than those who did not (13 vs. 7 months, P=0.032). Patients who underwent gastrectomy plus chemotherapy showed better survival than those who underwent other treatments. In multivariate analysis, gastrectomy was found to be an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.82) in addition to chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Our study showed that patients who underwent gastrectomy plus chemotherapy had the best survival. Although the survival benefit of gastrectomy remains uncertain, it is a favorable prognostic indicator in patients with stand-alone peritoneal metastasis.

Twelve-Year Single Center Experience Shows Safe Implementation of Developed Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Treatment Protocols for Gastrointestinal and Gynecological Primary Tumors

Simple Summary

The treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) has dramatically evolved during the past two decades. Indications, treatment protocols, surgical techniques and the application of HIPEC in the prophylactic setting were evaluated in the surgical community. Nevertheless, the current results of the PRODIGE-7 trial disfavored the application of HIPEC for PSM of colorectal cancer and raised uncertainty among surgeons. On the other hand, cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC represent state-of-the-art therapy for peritoneal mesothelioma (except the sarcomatoid-subtype) and pseudomyxoma peritonei. Comparing the literature is cumbersome due to the variety of HIPEC protocols and differences in indication settings. This article aims to provide an insight into the impact of different HIPEC protocols, different indication settings and the implementation of pre-HIPEC laparoscopy on patients’ morbidity rates and outcomes and serves as guidance for surgeons dealing with these patients in order to guarantee high-quality treatment.

Abstract

(1) Background: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy provide survival benefits to selected patients. We aimed to report our experience and the evolution of our peritoneal surface malignancy program. (2) Methods: From June 2005 to June 2017, 399 patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the Tübingen University Hospital were analyzed from a prospectively collected database. (3) Results: Peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer was the leading indication (group 1: 28%; group 2: 32%). The median PCI was 15.5 (range, 1–39) in group 1 and 11 (range, 1–39) in group 2 (p = 0.002). Regarding the completeness of cytoreduction (CC), a score of 0 was achieved in 63% vs. 69% for group 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.010). Median overall survival rates for patients in group 1 and 2 for colon cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer and appendix cancer were 34 and 25 months; 45 months and not reached; 30 and 16 months; 39 months and not reached, respectively. The occurrence of grade-III and -IV complications slightly differed between groups (14.5% vs. 15.6%). No 30-day mortality occurred. (4) Conclusions: Specialized centers are able to provide low-morbidity cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy without mortality. Strict patient selection during the time period significantly improved CC scores.

Immune Landscape of Gastric Carcinoma Tumor Microenvironment Identifies a Peritoneal Relapse Relevant Immune Signature

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) still represents the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Peritoneal relapse (PR) is the most frequent metastasis occurring among patients with advanced gastric cancer. Increasingly more evidence have clarified the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) may predict survival and have clinical significance in GC. However, tumor-transcriptomics based immune signatures derived from immune profiling have not been established for predicting the peritoneal recurrence of the advanced GC.

Methods

In this study, we depict the immune landscape of GC by using transcriptome profiling and clinical characteristics retrieved from GSE62254 of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Immune cell infiltration score was evaluated via single-sample gene set enrichment (ssGSEA) analysis algorithm. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression algorithm was used to select the valuable immune cells and construct the final model for the prediction of PR. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Kaplan-Meier curve were used to check the accuracy of PRIs. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed to explore the molecular pathways associated with PRIs.

Results

A peritoneal recurrence related immune score (PRIs) with 10 immune cells was constructed. Compared to the low-PRIs group, the high-PRIs group had a greater risk. The upregulation of the focal adhesion signaling was observed in the high-PRIs subtype by GSEA and KEGG. Multivariate analysis found that both in the internal training cohort and the internal validation cohort, PRIs was a stable and independent predictor for PR. A nomogram that integrated clinicopathological features and PRIs to predict peritoneal relapse was constructed. Subgroup analysis indicated that the PRIs could obviously distinguish peritoneal recurrence in different molecular subtypes, pathological stages and Lauren subtypes, in which PRIs of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions (EMT) subtype, III-IV stage and diffuse subtype are higher respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the immune landscape of GC and constructed a predictive PR model based on the immune cell infiltration. The PRIs represents novel promising feature of predicting peritoneal recurrence of GC and sheds light on the improvement of the personalized management of GC patients after surgery.

Prognostic impact of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

gastric cancer patients frequently develop peritoneal metastases (PM) with a poor long-term prognosis. A solid body of evidence underlines the beneficial role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) on survival, but to date, there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal strategy in the treatment of locally advanced primary tumors with or without peritoneal metastasis. The present meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of CRS + HIPEC on survival analyzing the results of randomized studies only.

METHODS

A systematic review of articles was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Twelve studies were included in qualitative and quantitative analysis.

RESULTS

A survival benefit for patients treated with CRS + HIPEC at all time points was highlighted. However, difference in survival was significant at all time points for patients treated for prophylaxis of PM, but no difference was found when considering resection with a curative intent. The 1, 2, 3 and 5-year survival rates (SR) for patients undergoing CRS + HIPEC were 86.9%, 70.5%, 63.7% and 55.7% respectively. CRS + HIPEC for the treatment rather than prophylaxis of PM was the only predictor of a reduced 3y SR.

CONCLUSIONS

CRS + HIPEC may lead to improved prognosis for patients suffering from locally advanced gastric cancer in both prophylactic and curative settings. However, due to far from negligible postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, a strict patient selection is crucial to achieve the best results. The presence of extraperitoneal disease strongly limits the indication of this kind of surgery.

Current treatment and recent progress in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is not a top-10 malignancy in the United States but represents one of the most common causes of cancer death worldwide. Biological differences between tumors from Eastern and Western countries add to the complexity of identifying standard-of-care therapy based on international trials. Systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy all have proven efficacy in gastric adenocarcinoma; therefore, multidisciplinary treatment is paramount to treatment selection. Triplet chemotherapy for resectable gastric cancer is now accepted and could represent a plateau of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy for localized disease. Classification of gastric cancer based on molecular subtypes is providing an opportunity for personalized therapy. Biomarkers, in particular microsatellite instability (MSI), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), tumor mutation burden, and Epstein-Barr virus, are increasingly driving systemic therapy approaches and allowing for the identification of populations most likely to benefit from immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Significant research opportunities remain for the less differentiated histologic subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma and those without markers of immunotherapy activity.

The Landmark Series: Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for Treatment of Gastric Cancer Metastatic to Peritoneum

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer worldwide, with patients developing isolated peritoneal metastases (PM) in approximately 30% of cases. In patients with PM, prognosis is quite poor, and long-term survival is almost zero. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment in many peritoneal malignancies, including appendiceal and ovarian cancers and in peritoneal mesothelioma. In this educational review, we summarize many of the seminal studies addressing the potential benefit of CRS/HIPEC for patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases (GC/PM).

Review of management and treatment of peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer origin

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, with less than 25% survivors at 5 years. These results are largely related to the high incidence of peritoneal metastases (PM) in these patients. Nowadays, the standard treatment for GC with PM is palliative systemic chemotherapy (SCT) with a survival of 6 months. From the 2000s, the combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been gaining popularity for different neoplastic diseases that involve the peritoneal surface. The use of CRS and HIPEC has been studied for GC with PM, with promising results in selected patients, obtaining survival rates never seen before. Moreover, HIPEC and other intraperitoneal chemotherapy techniques have been used to prevent peritoneal recurrences in patients diagnosed on locally advanced GC without macroscopic PM (adjuvant or prophylactic HIPEC). Even, intraperitoneal chemotherapy [laparoscopic HIPEC and neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS)] has been used as neoadjuvant treatment to reduce peritoneal disease burden in order to improve the rate of patients in whom complete cytoreduction can be achieved. Finally, patients with high volume peritoneal disease can be treated by palliative intraperitoneal chemotherapy to control the symptoms resulting from malignant ascites, using laparoscopic HIPEC or pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). This review aims to update the management of PM from GC origin in these different clinical scenarios, based on the literature and the experience of the authors.

A narrative review of intraperitoneal chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for peritoneal metastases in gastric cancer

Peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin is an aggressive tumor entity. Historically it has been considered a terminal disease with no long-term survival, due to limited therapeutic options. However, as a better understanding of tumor biology has evolved in recent years, novel multimodal treatment strategies incorporating intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy-hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC), neoadjuvant intraperitoneal-systemic chemotherapy protocol (NIPS)-and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) have demonstrated promising oncologic outcomes and even long-term survival in selected patients. Most of the studies published to date are retrospective in nature. These studies involve heterogenous patient populations, a wide variety of chemotherapeutic drugs, and show wide variation in outcomes between institutions. Thus, it is difficult to evaluate the results. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding IP chemotherapy and CRS for peritoneal metastases (PM) in gastric cancer (GC). We describe our institutional treatment regimens. We also provide a brief overview of new, targeted therapies that may show promise in the future.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of gastric cancer peritoneal metastases: an overview of common therapeutic regimens

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) have an incidence of 10-20% in patients with gastric cancer (GC), and even up to 40% in patients with UICC Stage III GC. Due to the aggressive characteristic of adenocarcinoma of the stomach, GC is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. For GC with PM, the treatment of choice is according to national and international guidelines systemic chemotherapy, combined with biologic therapy against specific receptor antigen in with overexpression, such as HER-2. Multimodal treatment regimens including intraperitoneal application of chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) have been investigated and established all over the world. Driven by pharmacological studies and thoughts considering the increased benefits of cytotoxic agents used in the abdominal cavity, several drugs and drug combinations are widely used. In order to standardize treatment protocols, it is crucial to differentiate between normothermic and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (NIPEC, HIPEC). The requirements of an ideal cytotoxic drug different obviously dependent on its application method. Because of their high molecular weight and lipophilic structure, taxanes, such as paclitaxel or docetaxel have a long intraperitoneal retention time and are commonly used in NIPEC, while platin derivates, such as carboplatin or oxaliplatin are known for their synergistic effect to heat and are chosen in HIPEC. This review aims to explore and summarize different intraperitoneal treatment regimens strictly evaluated by supporting evidence in an effort to consolidate many regimens to a few evidence-based treatment protocols that deserve further investigation and distribution. This analysis included all studies focusing on intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Phase II, Phase III trials and non-randomized retrospective trials of larger cohorts of patients with GC and established PM or risk of PM. Interestingly, the protocols for NIPEC are quite uniform, with less variation between the therapeutic components in contrast to the different HIPEC protocols. This difference might be explained by the divergent evolution of NIPEC and HIPEC, as the former exclusively originated in Japan, while HIPEC experienced a more multicentric evolution and distribution in the United States, Asia, Europe, and worldwide utilization today.

Surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after response to induction chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) with peritoneal metastases (PM) has a dismal prognosis and to date only a few management options have been reported. Of those, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after induction bidirectional intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (BIPSC) appear as a promising treatment option for these patients. Outcome data including safety and efficacy of CRS with radical Gastrectomy and HIPEC after response to combination of laparoscopic HIPEC (LHIPEC) with BIPSC as an induction therapy in patients with PM of GC was evaluated in this retrospective observational study.

Methods

Diagnostic Laparoscopy was performed in 53 patients with PM of GC who admitted to the Center for Treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies, Istanbul, between 2013 and 2016. Peritoneal cancer index (PCI), ascites status and cytology were determined. The patients underwent LHIPEC and then, BIPSC induction chemotherapy using intraperitoneal docetaxel (30 mg/m²) and cisplatin (30 mg/m²) and intravenous Docetaxel/Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil (DCF) for 3 cycles. In selected patients, CRS with radical gastrectomy and HIPEC were performed after the response to induction therapy. BIPSC was continued for 3 more cycles with a dose reduction in an adjuvant setting.

Results

All LHIPEC procedures were uneventful with Grade 1-2 side effects (11/53, 20,8%). As a response to induction chemotherapy PCI was reduced from 19.6±8 (range, 6-39) to 13.6±9.8 (range, 1-39) (P<0.001). Ascites was detected in 55% (29 out of 53) and cytology was positive in 51% (27 out of 53) of the patients before induction chemotherapy. Ascites was completely abolished and all cytology became negative. Then, 34 of 53 (64.15%) patients underwent CRS with radical gastrectomy and HIPEC. CC0/1 resection was achieved in 22 (64.70%) of patients (P<0.05). The median survival time was 18.9±13.4 (95% CI: 15.2-22.6 months. Combined surgery and HIPEC related mortality occurred in 1 out of 34 patients (2.9%) due to developed diffuse intravascular coagulation at postoperative day 2. Grade 2 operative complications included biliary fistula in one, and duodenal stump leakage in two patients (8.7%). All of the fistula closed with conservative management. The median survival time was 18.9±13.4 months and the median progression-free survival time was 15.6±12.9 with 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of 82.4%, 59% and 17.6% in patients with PM of GC. Multivariate analysis identified high peritoneal cancer index (P=0.000) and complete resection (P<0.05) as independent predictors for better progression-free and overall survival.

Conclusions

The best outcomes can be expected with optimal cytoreduction and limited peritoneal dissemination in response to induction chemotherapy. Knowledgeable selection of patients with PM of GC is essential to perform surgery with HIPEC safely with acceptable mortality and morbidity.

Intra-operative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for prevention and treatment of peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer: a narrative review

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) from gastric cancer (GC) has long been regarded as the terminal disease, lacking of effective treatments. In recent 40 years, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS), and early post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC), has been recommended as a preferred treatment option for some selected patients with GCPM. Intraperitoneal free cancer cells were recognized as the pathological cause of PM and the primary target for intraperitoneal chemotherapy. There were a lot of evidence demonstrating that HIPEC could effectively eradiate intraperitoneal free cancer cells and prolong overall survival in GCPM. However, there are still no standard HIPEC protocols. This review summarized the current HIPEC regimens used in GCPM from a literature search, trying to conclude the optimal HIPEC in GCPM, and indicate the future direction of HIPEC study. Moreover, the new data on the exploration of HIPEC in GCPM at Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University was shared. In conclusion, there was not enough evidence from publications and our own experience to conclude a recommended HIPEC regimen for GCPM. There is urgent need for standardizing HIPEC protocols worldwide. Accordingly, more international collaborations focusing on pharmacology and HIPEC-related parameters to generate high level evidence are essential.

Cytoreductive surgery and mitomycin C hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with CO2 recirculation (HIPEC-CO2) for colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases: analysis of short-term outcomes

Peritoneal dissemination from colorectal cancer (CRC) has long been associated with unfavorable prognosis. However, in the last decades, the combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was able to obtain up to 30% 5-year survival rate in selected centers. Despite the wide diffusion of CRS and HIPEC, until now, there are no clear recommendations on the drug of choice for HIPEC nor its technique, and safety and efficacy data of HIPEC regimens and techniques are lacking. We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 26 CRS and mitomycin C HIPEC with CO₂ recirculation (HIPEC-CO₂) for CRC peritoneal metastasis (PM) performed at our center. The main endpoints were morbidity, mortality, the temperature of perfusate during HIPEC and metabolic changes throughout the procedure. Morbidity was assessed by analysis of postoperative adverse events according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE version 4.0). Continuous variables of Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis at three time-points were compared by the Student t test. There were no postoperative deaths. The overall grade 3-4 CTCAE complications rate at 30 days was 38.4%, with ten severe adverse events occurring to six (23.0%) patients. The temperature within HIPEC perfusion maintained between 41 and 42 °C in all cases and we experienced no HIPEC-related intraoperative complications. We observed a significant difference between all baseline and pre-HIPEC ABG parameters evaluated but no statistically significant differences between pre- and post-HIPEC ABG outcomes. This study shows that mitomycin C HIPEC-CO₂ is feasible and has a safety profile comparable to that of other HIPEC techniques reported in the literature. Further research is needed to validate prospectively the safety and efficacy of this technique.

Beyond the Guidelines: The Grey Zones of the Management of Gastric Cancer. Consensus Statements from the Gastric Cancer Italian Network (GAIN)

BACKGROUND

Management of gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma remains challenging, because of the heterogeneity in tumor biology within the upper gastrointestinal tract. Daily clinical practice is full of grey areas regarding the complexity of diagnostic, staging, and therapeutic procedures. The aim of this paper is to provide a guide for clinicians facing challenging situations in routine practice, taking a multidisciplinary consensus approach based on available literature.

METHODS

The GAIN (GAstric cancer Italian Network) group was established with the aims of reviewing literature evidence, discussing key issues in prevention, diagnosis, and management of gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma, and offering a summary of statements. A Delphi consensus method was used to obtain opinions from the expert panel of specialists.

RESULTS

Forty-nine clinical questions were identified in six areas of interest: role of multidisciplinary team; risk factors; diagnosis; management of early gastric cancer and multimodal approach to localized gastric cancer; treatment of elderly patients with locally advanced resectable disease; and treatment of locally advanced and metastatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The statements presented may guide clinicians in practical management of this disease.

Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Metastases: Technical Innovations, Preclinical and Clinical Advances and Future Perspectives

(1) Background: Tumors of the peritoneal serosa are called peritoneal carcinosis. Their origin may be primary by primitive involvement of the peritoneum (peritoneal pseudomyxoma, peritoneal mesothelioma, etc.). This damage to the peritoneum can also be a consequence of the dissipation of cancers-in particular, digestive (stomach, pancreas, colorectal, appendix) and gynecological (ovaries) ones in the form of metastases. The aim of the treatment is a maximal reduction of the macroscopic disease called "cytoreduction" in combination with hyperthermic intra-abdominal chemotherapy to treat residual microscopic lesions. (2) Methods: In this narrative review, we fundamentally synthetize the evolution of this process over time and its impact on clinical applications. (3) Results: Over the last past decade, different evolutions concerning both delivery modes and conditions concerning hyperthermic intra-abdominal chemotherapy have been realized. (4) Conclusion: The final objective of these evolutions is the improvement of the global and recurrence-free survival of primary and secondary malignant peritoneal pathologies. However, more large randomized controlled trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of such treatments with the help of molecular biology and genetics.

Survival advantage of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for advanced gastric cancer: experience from a Western tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Selection criteria and prognostic factors for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intra-operative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have not been well defined, and the literature data are not homogeneous. The aim of this study was to compare prognostic factors influencing overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a population of patients affected by AGC with surgery alone and surgery plus HIPEC, both with curative (PCI, peritoneal carcinomatosis index > 1) and prophylactic (PCI = 0) intent.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was conducted in patients affected by AGC from January 2006 to December 2015. Uni- and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients with AGC were analyzed. A 5-year OS for surgery alone, CRS plus curative HIPEC, and surgery plus prophylactic HIPEC groups was 9%, 27% and 33%, respectively. Statistical significance was reached comparing both prophylactic HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.05), curative HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.03), and curative vs prophylactic HIPEC (p = 0.04). A 5-year DFS for surgery alone, CRS + curative HIPEC, and surgery + prophylactic HIPEC groups was 9%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. Statistical significance was reached comparing both prophylactic HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p < 0.0001), curative HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.008), and curative vs prophylactic HIPEC (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AGC undergoing surgery plus HIPEC had a better OS and DFS with respect to patients treated with surgery alone.

Phase II trial of prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer after curative surgery

Background

HIPEC is an emerging procedure to treat peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. Data about HIPEC in locally advanced gastric cancer is scarce. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the safety and toxicity of prophylactic HIPEC with cisplatin for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.

Methods

From March 2015 to November 2016, a prospective, randomized phase II trial was conducted. After radical gastrectomy, patients in the experimental group underwent HIPEC with cisplatin followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with SOX regime. Patients in the other group were treated with SOX regime alone. Postoperative complications and patient survival were compared.

Results

In total, 50 patients were eligible for analyses. No significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications including anastomotic/intestinal leakage, liver dysfunction, bone marrow suppression, wound infection and ileus (P > 0.05). Mean duration of hospitalization after radical gastrectomy was 11.7 days. 12.2 days in experimental group and 10.8 days in control group respectively (P = 0.255). The percentage of patients with elevated tumor markers was 12.1% in experimental group, which was significantly lower than 41.2% in control group (P = 0.02). 3-year RFS of patients who treated with or without prophylactic HIPEC were 84.8 and 88.2% respectively (P = 0.986). In the multivariate analysis, pathological T stage was the only independent risk factor for the RFS of patients (P = 0.012, HR =15.071).

Conclusion

Additional intraoperative HIPEC with cisplatin did not increase postoperative complications for locally advanced gastric cancer after curative surgery. Prophylactic HIPEC with cisplatin was safe and tolerable, while it did not reduce the risk of peritoneal recurrence in this trial, supporting further studies to validate the efficacy of it.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000038331. Registered 18 September 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=59692.

Impact of Previous Gynecologic Surgical Procedures on Outcomes of Non-Gynecologic Peritoneal Malignancies Mimicking Ovarian Cancer: Less Is More?

BACKGROUND

Non-gynecologic rare peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs) often are misdiagnosed as disseminated ovarian cancer and initially treated by gynecologic surgeons. This study aimed to assess whether these previous maneuvers (i.e., full surgical staging and/or cytoreductive attempts) affect outcomes after the definitive surgery performed in a tertiary center.

METHODS

The study reviewed 298 women affected by non-gynecologic PSM who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after previous gynecologic surgery. Prior surgery was categorized as limited surgery (pLS: abdominal exploration with biopsy plus adnexectomy and/or appendectomy) or extended surgery (pES: full surgical staging or cytoreductive attempts including hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy).

RESULTS

Of the 298 patients, 143 had pLS and 153 had pES. Morbidity was similar between the groups (P = 0.143), but the pES group had more severe urinary tract injuries (19 vs. 3; P < 0.001), longer operating time (585.9 vs. 506.7; P = 0.027), and more patients needing more than two anastomoses (41 vs. 26; P = 0.033). Age older than 55 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.42; P = 0.009) and number of anastomoses (OR 3.17; P = 0.002) correlated with severe morbidity; pES correlated with urinary tract grades 3 and 4 injuries (OR 7.9; P = 0.001). The 5-year cumulative incidence of locoregional relapse was significantly higher in the pES group (0.41 vs. 0.27; P = 0.012; median follow-up period, 69 months). The multivariate analysis identified a Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) higher than 20 and pES as independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION

For women undergoing CRS±HIPEC for non-gynecologic PSM, the risk for locoregional relapse and severe postsurgical urinary tract complications is increased by pES. Therefore, prior full surgical staging or cytoreductive attempts without definitive gynecologic histology should be avoided. Prophylactic ureteral stenting and stricter oncologic follow-up assessment must be considered in this scenario.

[Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in gastric cancer]

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Developed multimodal treatment concepts, which include a combination of perioperative systemic treatment and cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), show promising results with respect to improvement of the long-term survival.

METHODS

This article contains a review of the literature of published studies on the topic of gastric cancer and peritoneal metastasis.

RESULTS

The prognosis of patients with gastric cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis shows an extremely limited median survival of 7 months under palliative second-line systemic treatment. The median survival time increased to 12 months with cytoreductive surgery and in combination with HIPEC showed a positive effect on survival in individual studies.

EXPERT OPINION

Treatment recommendations for patients with peritoneal metastases of gastric cancer should be carried out by experts in surgical reference centers.

Survival advantage of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for advanced gastric cancer: experience from a Western tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Selection criteria and prognostic factors for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intra-operative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have not been well defined and the literature data are not homogeneous. The aim of this study was to compare prognostic factors influencing overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a population of patients affected by AGC with surgery alone and surgery plus HIPEC, both with curative (PCI, Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index >1) and prophylactic (PCI=0) intent.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was conducted in patients affected by AGC from January 2006 to December 2015. Uni- and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients with AGC were analyzed. Five-year OS for surgery alone, CRS plus curative HIPEC, and surgery plus prophylactic HIPEC groups was 9%, 27%, and 33%, respectively. Statistical significance was reached comparing both prophylactic HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.05), curative HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.03), and curative vs prophylactic HIPEC (p = 0.04). Five-year DFS for surgery alone, CRS + curative HIPEC, and surgery + prophylactic HIPEC groups was 9%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. Statistical significance was reached comparing both prophylactic HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p < 0.0001), curative HIPEC vs surgery alone group (p = 0.008), and curative vs prophylactic HIPEC (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AGC undergoing surgery plus HIPEC had a better OS and DFS with respect to patients treated with surgery alone.

Place of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the armament against pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A survival, mortality and morbidity systematic review

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest types of cancer worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 8% despite recent treatment advancements. The present systematic review aimed to investigate the role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) following surgical resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with or without peritoneal carcinomatosis. A systematic search of the MEDLINE and SCOPUS electronic databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. All possible relevant articles published between January 1980 and May 2019 were retrieved using multiple search terms associated with HIPEC and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The initial search resulted in 1,244 reports, which condensed to 41 reports following screening of titles and abstracts, and subsequently to four reports following full-text thorough examination. The four reports included involved a prospective cohort study of HIPEC use in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and three retrospective studies of HIPEC use following cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal carcinomatosis due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma, resulting in a total of 47 patients. The overall survival ranged between 2 and 62 months, and the hospital mortality rate was 8.5%. Morbidity (34%) was mainly attributed to anastomotic leak or respiratory failure. Due to the small sample size and low quality of evidence of the included studies, no valid conclusions could be drawn. Therefore, further studies are required to justify the use of HIPEC as an adjuvant therapy in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, while cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC in peritoneal carcinomatosis of pancreatic origin seems not only not useful but also unsafe at this level of evidence.

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer: a retrospective case-matched study on perioperative outcomes

Background

This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods

In this case-matched study, we retrospectively reviewed the database of 223 patients with AGC who underwent LDG in Tangdu Hospital from April 2016 to February 2019. Among all participants, 177 patients underwent LDG alone and 46 underwent LDG with HIPEC. We matched total of 138 (1:2) patients from the LDG + HIPEC group (n 46) and the LDG group (n 92) for gender, age, date of operation, and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage of tumor.

Results

There was no significant difference in the Clavien-Dindo classification of complications between LDG alone and LDG + HIPEC patients. Further analysis showed the morbidity of gastroparesis to be significantly increased in LDG + HIPEC patients. At the same time, we found that the operation time, the time to 1st flatus, and hospital stay were longer in LDG + HIPEC patients and the incidence of abdominal recurrence 2 years after operation was significantly higher in the LDG group than the LDG + HIPEC group.

Conclusions

The combination of LDG with intraoperative HIPEC is a safe and feasible method for AGC and HIPEC will limit the recovery of gastrointestinal functions. In addition, during the follow-up of our study, although there was no statistical difference between the two groups in abdominal recurrence at 2 years after surgery, a decreasing trend of abdominal recurrence in LDG + HIPEC patients could be seen in comparison to LDG patients.

Survival outcomes and prognostic indicators for gastric cancer patients with positive peritoneal wash cytology but no peritoneal metastasis after radical gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Positive peritoneal wash cytology with no peritoneal metastasis (CY1P0) is a special type of distant gastric cancer metastasis, which describes a patient with positive peritoneal lavage cytology, but no definitive peritoneal metastasis, and there are no widely accepted treatment guidelines. We enrolled 48 primary CY1P0 gastric cancer patients treated by radical gastrectomy in this study. Our study illustrated the efficacy of radical gastrectomy for CY1P0 gastric cancer patients, and suggested that the pathological N factor and vascular invasion were significant independent risk factors for overall survival (OS).

AIM

To assess the survival of CY1P0 gastric cancer patient post-radical gastrectomy, and to identify factors associated with long-term prognosis.

METHODS

Our study included 48 patients with primary CY1P0 gastric cancer who had radical gastrectomies at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China between 2013 and 2018. R0 resection was achieved in all 48 patients. Twelve patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thirty patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and four received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. OS statistics were available for 48 patients. Follow-up continued through March 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to identify prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Median OS was 22.0 mo (95% confidence interval: 13.366-30.634 mo) post-surgery. Univariate analyses demonstrated that tumor site (P = 0.021), pathological N factor (P = 0.001), pathological T factor (P = 0.028), vascular invasion (P = 0.046), and the level of CA199 prior to initiating therapy (P = 0.002) were significant risk factors for OS. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that pathological N factor (P = 0.001) and vascular invasion (P = 0.031) were significant independent risk factors for OS.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that radical gastrectomy may be efficient for CY1P0 gastric cancer patient post-radical gastrectomy and the pathological N factor and vascular invasion are significant independent risk factors for OS.

Tumor characteristics and clinical outcome of peritoneal metastasis of gastric origin treated with a hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedure in the PERISCOPE I trial

INTRODUCTION

The PERISCOPE I (Treatment of PERItoneal dissemination in Stomach Cancer patients with cytOreductive surgery and hyPErthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) study was conducted to investigate the safety and feasibility of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer patients with limited peritoneal dissemination. In this study, tumor characteristics and clinical outcome of the patients treated in the PERISCOPE I trial were investigated.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone the full study protocol were selected; that is, preoperative systemic chemotherapy, followed by a surgical procedure consisting of a (sub)total gastrectomy, cytoreductive surgery, and HIPEC with oxaliplatin (460 mg/m² ) and docetaxel (in escalating doses).

RESULTS

Twenty-five PERISCOPE I patients underwent the full study protocol. Most patients had an ypT3-4 tumor (96%) and the diffuse-type histology was predominant (64%). Seven patients (28%) had a microscopically irradical (R1) resection. In all patients, a complete cytoreduction was achieved. Median follow-up was 37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34-39) months. Disease recurrence was detected in 17 patients (68%). Median disease-free and overall survival were 12 and 15 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this series of gastric cancer patients with limited peritoneal dissemination who underwent HIPEC surgery, unfavorable tumor characteristics were common. Survival might be encouraging but disease recurrence was frequent. The efficacy of an HIPEC procedure in improving prognosis is currently being investigated in the PERISCOPE II trial.

Predicting postoperative peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer with serosal invasion using a collagen nomogram

Accurate prediction of peritoneal metastasis for gastric cancer (GC) with serosal invasion is crucial in clinic. The presence of collagen in the tumour microenvironment affects the metastasis of cancer cells. Herein, we propose a collagen signature, which is composed of multiple collagen features in the tumour microenvironment of the serosa derived from multiphoton imaging, to describe the extent of collagen alterations. We find that a high collagen signature is significantly associated with a high risk of peritoneal metastasis (P < 0.001). A competing-risk nomogram including the collagen signature, tumour size, tumour differentiation status and lymph node metastasis is constructed. The nomogram demonstrates satisfactory discrimination and calibration. Thus, the collagen signature in the tumour microenvironment of the gastric serosa is associated with peritoneal metastasis in GC with serosal invasion, and the nomogram can be conveniently used to individually predict the risk of peritoneal metastasis in GC with serosal invasion after radical surgery.

Advances in the surgical management of gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer

Since Theodore Billroth and Cesar Roux perfected the methods of post-gastrectomy reconstruction in the late 19^th century, surgical management of gastric and gastroesophageal cancer has made incremental progress. The majority of patients with localized disease are treated with perioperative combination chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Staging laparoscopy before initiation of treatment or before surgical resection has improved staging accuracy and can drastically inform treatment decisions. The longstanding and contentious debate on the optimal extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer appears to have settled in favor of D2 dissection with the recently published 15-year follow-up of the Dutch randomized trial. Minimally invasive gastric and gastroesophageal resections are performed routinely in most centers affording faster recovery and equivalent oncologic outcomes. Pylorus-preserving distal (central) gastrectomy has emerged as a less invasive, function-preserving option for T1N0 middle-third gastric cancers, while randomized data on its oncologic adequacy are pending. Multi-visceral resections and cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been utilized selectively for patients with locally advanced tumors who have demonstrated disease control on preoperative chemotherapy. This review summarizes the current standard of surgical care for gastroesophageal junction and gastric cancer as well as highlights recent and upcoming advances to the field.

The Role of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Non-colorectal Peritoneal Surface Malignancies

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal carcinomatosis, from a variety of gastrointestinal and gynecological malignancies, has been historically challenging to treat and there remains a wide range of biologic aggressiveness in these patients. Malignancies commonly associated with PC include those of colorectal, appendiceal, gastric, ovarian, sarcoma, small intestinal, and primary peritoneal origin among others. Advances in our understanding of this unique disease process have led to significant interest in cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) as an emerging treatment option. The goal of CRS-HIPEC is to remove all visible macroscopic disease while preserving organ function, and then treat microscopic disease through perfusion of the peritoneal cavity with heated chemotherapy.

PURPOSE

Although recent reviews have focused on the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to colorectal cancer given the publication of several recent randomized controlled trials, the purpose of the current review is to summarize the evidence on CRS-HIPEC for non-colorectal peritoneal surface malignancies, including appendiceal neoplasms, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, gastric cancer, and ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

While retrospective studies have clarified the importance of prognostic factors such as the peritoneal carcinomatosis index, completeness of cytoreduction, histopathological characteristics, and lymph node positivity, the lack of convincing level 1 evidence for the use of CRS-HIPEC has led to it remaining a highly controversial topic.

CONCLUSION

The decision to utilize CRS-HIPEC should involve a multidisciplinary team approach and evaluation of prognostic factors to balance the short-term morbidity of the operation with maximum long-term benefits. Large, multi-institutional groups and ongoing trials hold promise for clarifying the role of CRS-HIPEC in peritoneal surface malignancies.

Intraperitoneal Administration of Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 Plus Oxaliplatin as Induction Therapy for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases

Background

Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of paclitaxel (PTX) has a great pharmacokinetic advantage to control peritoneal lesions and can be combined with various systemic chemotherapies. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a combination of IP-PTX and systemic S-1/oxaliplatin (SOX) for induction chemotherapy for patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from gastric cancer (GC).

Patients and Methods

Patients with GC who were diagnosed as macroscopic PM (P1) or positive peritoneal cytology (CY1) by staging laparoscopy between 2016 and 2019 were enrolled. PTX was IP administered at 40 mg/m² on days 1 and 8. Oxaliplatin was IV administered at 100 mg/m² on day 1, and S-1 was administered at 80 mg/m²/day for 14 consecutive days, repeated every 21 days. Survival time and toxicities were retrospectively explored.

Results

Forty-four patients received SOX + IP-PTX with a median (range) of 16 (1–48) courses, although oxaliplatin was suspended due to the hematotoxicity or intolerable peripheral neuropathy in many patients. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 79.5% (95% CI 64.4–88.8%) with median survival time of 25.8 months. Gastrectomy was performed in 20 (45%) patients who showed macroscopic shrinkage of PM with a 1-year OS rate of 100% (95% CI 69.5–100%). Grade 2 and 3 histological responses was achieved in four (20%) and one (5%) patients. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (11%), leukopenia (39%), and anemia (14%). There were no treatment-related deaths.

Conclusions

Combination chemotherapy using SOX + IP-PTX regimen is highly effective and recommended as induction chemotherapy for patients with PM from GC.

Peritoneal cancer index (PCI) based patient selecting strategy for complete cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis: A single-center retrospective analysis of 125 patients

OBJECTIVE

The role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) is still controversial, mainly due to the limited survival benefit and uncertain patient selection. This study aims to construct a selecting strategy in GCPM for CRS + HIPEC.

METHODS

From a prospective established database, 125 patients were enrolled. All these patients were pathologically confirmed as GCPM and treated with CRS + HIPEC with or without preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy. The clinical documents and follow-up results were collected and analyzed with the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) and the secondary endpoint of perioperative serious adverse events (SAEs).

RESULTS

The median OS of 125 GCPM patients treated with CRS + HIPEC was 10.7 months, with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 43.8%, 24.7%, 18.6%, and 15.7%, respectively. The multivariate analysis identified completeness of cytoreduction (CC), SAEs, HIPEC drugs, and adjuvant chemotherapy as independent prognostic factors on OS. The median OS was 30.0 (95%CI: 16.8-43.3) months in CC-0 group, significantly better than 7.3 (95%CI: 5.8-8.8) months in CC1-3 group (P < 0.001). The median OS showed no significant difference among CC-1 (8.5, 95%CI: 6.7-10.2, months), CC-2 (5.6, 95%CI: 3.0-8.2, months) and CC-3 (6.5, 95%CI: 5.2-7.7, months) groups (P > 0.05 for all pairwise comparations). The nomogram based on peritoneal metastasis timing, preoperative tumor marker (TM), and peritoneal cancer index (PCI), with AUC of 0.985, showed a good accuracy and consistency between actual observation and prediction of the probability of complete CRS. The cutoffs of PCI were 16 for synchronous GCPM with normal TM, 12 for synchronous GCPM with abnormal TM, 10 for metachronous GCPM with normal TM, and 5 for metachronous GCPM with abnormal TM, setting the probability to achieve complete CRS as 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Only complete CRS + HIPEC (CC-0) could improve survival for high selected GCPM patients with acceptable safety. An incomplete CRS (CC1-3) should be avoided for GCPM patients. Synchronous GCPM with PCI ≤16 and normal TM, synchronous GCPM with PCI ≤12 and abnormal TM, metachronous GCPM with PCI ≤10 and normal TM, or metachronous GCPM with PCI ≤5 and abnormal TM maybe potential indications for complete CRS + HIPEC treatment.

Risk factors of acute renal impairment after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Acute renal impairment (ARI) is a major complication after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for cancer patients with peritoneal metastases. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and identify the risk factors of post-HIPEC creatinine increased.

METHODS

From April 2015 to December 2019, demographic and perioperative data of 169 patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC with a preoperative creatinine level <1.5 mg/dL were retrospectively reviewed. Renal impairment was defined according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0. The risk factors of creatinine increased were analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Among the 169 enrolled patients, 21 (12.4%) had postoperative creatinine increased (ARI group) and 148 (87.6%) did not (non-ARI group). Significantly more of the ARI group received a cisplatin HIPEC regimen than the non-ARI group (71.4 vs. 37.8%, p = 0.004). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the patients who received a cisplatin HIPEC regimen (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 11.38, p < 0.001) and peritoneal dialysis solution as HIPEC perfusate (AOR = 7.07, p = 0.002) were more likely to develop post-HIPEC creatinine increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying the risk factors of post-HIPEC creatinine increased can help to improve patient selection, a dose of HIPEC regimens modification and perioperative care. We also identified the detrimental renal effect of peritoneal dialysis solution as HIPEC perfusate. More prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.