Gallbladder cancer worldwide: geographical distribution and risk factors

Consumption of Sweet Beverages and Cancer Risk. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The consumption of sweet beverages, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), artificial-sweetened beverages (ASB) and fruit juices (FJ), is associated with the risk of different cardiometabolic diseases. It may also be linked to the development of certain types of tumors. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies aimed at examining the association between sweet beverage intake and cancer risk. Suitable articles published up to June 2020 were sourced through PubMed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. Overall, 64 studies were identified, of which 27 were selected for the meta-analysis. This was performed by analyzing the multivariable-adjusted OR, RR or HR of the highest sweet beverage intake categories compared to the lowest one. Random effects showed significant positive association between SSB intake and breast (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.30) and prostate cancer risk (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.10–1.27) and also between FJs and prostate cancer risk (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05). Although the statistically significant threshold was not reached, there tended to be positive associations for the following: SSBs and colorectal and pancreatic cancer risk; FJs and breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer risk; and ASBs and pancreatic cancer risk. This study recommends limiting sweet beverage consumption. Furthermore, we propose to establish a homogeneous classification of beverages and investigate them separately, to better understand their role in carcinogenesis.

Association between gallstones and the risk of biliary tract cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare but highly fatal. Although the etiology of BTC is poorly understood, gallstones are proposed to be a major risk factor. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the associations between gallstone characteristics and BTC risk.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases and systematically reviewed cohort and case-control studies published before April 9, 2018. All the included studies reported appropriate risk estimates and confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between the presence, size, number, or duration of gallstones and the risk of BTC, including gallbladder cancer (GBC), extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EBDC), and ampulla of Vater cancer (AOVC). Summary odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted to inspect sources of potential heterogeneity, and the Egger test was performed to assess publication bias.

RESULTS

Seven cohort studies and 23 case-control studies in Asian, European, and American populations were included. The presence of gallstones was associated with an increased risk of BTC (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 3.23 to 5.93; I2=91.2%), GBC (OR, 7.26; 95% CI, 4.33 to 12.18), EBDC (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 2.24 to 4.50), and AOVC (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.11). Gallstone size (>1 vs. <1 cm; OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.22) was significantly associated with the risk of GBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallstone characteristics, such as presence, size, and number, are associated with an increased risk of BTC. However, significantly high heterogeneity in the meta-analyses is a limitation of this study.

The Chile Biliary Longitudinal Study: A Gallstone Cohort

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly fatal cancer that can be cured through cholecystectomy if identified early. The presence of gallstones is the primary risk factor for GBC, but few people with gallstones develop GBC. A key question is what drives the development of GBC among persons with gallstones. We initiated the Chile Biliary Longitudinal Study (Chile BiLS) to address this question. From 2016 to 2019, Chile BiLS enrolled 4,726 women aged 50-74 years with ultrasound-detected gallstones from southern-central Chile, accounting for an estimated 36% of eligible women with gallstones in the study area. The median age was 59 years; 25% of the women were Amerindian (Mapuche), 60% were obese, 25% had diabetes, and 6% had cardiovascular disease. Participants will be followed for gallbladder dysplasia or cancer for 6 years. As of April 30, 2020, over 91% of those eligible completed the year 2 follow-up visit. Data being collected include epidemiologic and sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and tooth counts. Biosamples being taken include baseline plasma, buffy coat, red blood cells, serum, blood clot from serum, and PAXgene whole blood (PreAnalytiX GmbH, Hombrechtikon, Switzerland). Complete gallbladder sampling is conducted for most participants undergoing cholecystectomy. The Chile BiLS cohort study will increase our understanding of GBC etiology and could identify potential risk stratification and early detection strategies in high-risk areas.

Right-sided versus left-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in the management of malignant biliary obstruction: a randomized controlled study

AIM

To compare the technical difficulty, safety, radiation exposure and success rates between right-sided and left-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (RPTBD and LPTBD) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients (28 males, 22 females; mean age 51.78 years) with MBO were randomized to undergo either RPTBD or LPTBD during the study period between June 2016 and May 2018. The procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation doses to the operators and patients, technical success, clinical success, complications and effect on quality of life were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were included in each group. The technical success was 100% in both groups. There was no significant difference between RPTBD and LPTBD groups in terms of major complications [4% and 12%, respectively; p = 0.297] and minor complications [40% and 32%, respectively; p = 0.597]. Further, the average procedure time (37.80 ± 13.07 min vs 41.04 ± 14.94 min), fluoroscopy time (5.88 ± 4.2 min vs 5.97 ± 3.8 min), radiation doses to the operator (136.84 ± 106.67 μSv vs 130.40 ± 106.46 μSv) and to the patient (8.23 ± 5.80 Gycm² vs 11.74 ± 11.28 Gycm²) were not significantly different between the groups. Clinical success was achieved in 21 patients (84%) of RPTBD group and 17 patients (68%) of LPTBD group with no significant difference (p = 0.416) between them.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference between RPTBD and LPTBD with reference to the technique, safety, radiation dose, success rates and impact on quality of life suggesting no laterality advantage for biliary drainage in cases of MBO.

The Role of Gallstones in Gallbladder Cancer in India: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Past history of gallstones is associated with increased risk of gallbladder cancer in observational studies. We conducted complementary observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to determine whether history of gallstones is causally related to development of gallbladder cancer in an Indian population.

METHODS

To investigate associations between history of gallstones and gallbladder cancer, we used questionnaire and imaging data from a gallbladder cancer case-control study conducted at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (cases = 1,170; controls = 2,525). We then used 26 genetic variants identified in a genome-wide association study of 27,174 gallstone cases and 736,838 controls of European ancestry in an MR approach to assess causality. The association of these genetic variants with both gallstones and gallbladder cancer was examined in the gallbladder cancer case-control study. Various complementary MR approaches were used to evaluate the robustness of our results in the presence of pleiotropy and heterogeneity, and to consider the suitability of the selected SNPs as genetic instruments for gallstones in an Indian population.

RESULTS

We found a strong observational association between gallstones and gallbladder cancer using self-reported history of gallstones [OR = 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.5-5.8] and with objective measures of gallstone presence using imaging techniques (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.5-2.7). We found consistent causal estimates across all MR techniques, with ORs for gallbladder cancer in the range of 1.3-1.6.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate a causal relationship between history of gallstones and increased risk of gallbladder cancer, albeit of a smaller magnitude than those found in observational analysis.

IMPACT

Our findings emphasize the importance of gallstone treatment for preventing gallbladder cancer in high-risk individuals.

Incidental Gallbladder Cancer: Routine versus Selective Histological Examination After Cholecystectomy

Background  Incidental gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, with an incidence ranging between 0.19 and 5.5% of all the cholecystectomies for benign disease, and carries a poor prognosis. Currently, in the literature, there appears to be some controversy about whether all gallbladder specimens should be sent for routine histopathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the need for either routine or selective histopathological evaluation of all gallbladder specimens following cholecystectomy in our institution.

Methods  The records of all patients who underwent a cholecystectomy (laparoscopic and open) for gallstone disease over a 5-year period (between January 2011 and January 2016) were reviewed retrospectively in a single university teaching hospital. Patients with radiological evidence of gallbladder cancer preoperatively were excluded. The notes of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer were reviewed and data were collected for clinical presentation and preoperative investigations including blood tests and radiological imaging.

Results  A total of 1,473 specimens were sent for histopathological evaluation, with two patients being diagnosed with an incidental gallbladder cancer (papillary adenocarcinoma in situ and moderately differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma [stage IIIa]). The incidence rate was 0.14%. All patients with incidental gallbladder cancer had macroscopically abnormal specimens.

Conclusion  Both patients in our study who were diagnosed with incidental gallbladder cancer had macroscopic abnormalities. A selective rather than routine approach to histological evaluation of gallbladder specimens especially in those with macroscopic abnormalities should be employed. This will reduce the burden on the pathology department with potential cost savings.

The Evaluation of 17 Gastrointestinal Tumor Markers Reveals Prognosis Value for MUC6, CK17, and CD10 in Gallbladder-Cancer Patients

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive and highly lethal disease with relatively low global incidence, but one that constitutes a major health problem in Asian and Latin American countries, particularly in Chile. The identification of new tumor-associated markers with potential prognosis value is required for GBC clinical practice. Using immunohistochemistry/tumor tissue microarray, we evaluated the expression of 17 gastrointestinal tumor-associated protein markers (CK7, CK17, CK19, CK20, CKLMW, CKHMW, MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6, CA125, CD10, CEA, vimentin, villin, claudin-4, and CDX2) in primary gallbladder adenocarcinomas from 180 Chilean patients and analyzed potential associations with their pathological and clinical characteristics. Younger female patients with well- to moderately differentiated tumors had a better prognosis than that of older female or male patients with tumors with a similar tumor differentiation grade. Among all analyzed markers, MUC6 expression was associated with better prognosis in patients with well- to moderately differentiated tumors, whereas CK17 or CD10 was associated with worse prognosis in patients with poorly differentiated tumors. In addition, the MUC6⁺CK17^– expression pattern was strongly associated with better prognosis in patients with well- to moderately differentiated tumors, whereas patients with poorly differentiated tumors and with the CK17⁺CD10⁺ expression pattern showed worse prognosis. Our results suggest that tumor MUC6, CK17, and CD10 can be considered as potential prognosis markers for GBC.

Gallbladder Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Gallbladder disorders encompass a wide breadth of diseases that vary in severity. We present a comprehensive review of literature for the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management of cholelithiasis-related disease, acute acalculous cholecystitis, functional gallbladder disorder, gallbladder polyps, gallbladder hydrops, porcelain gallbladder, and gallbladder cancer.

T2 gallbladder cancer shows substantial survival variation between continents and this is not due to histopathologic criteria or pathologic sampling differences

Published data on survival of T2 gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) from different countries show a wide range of 5-year survival rates from 30-> 70%. Recently, studies have demonstrated substantial variation between countries in terms of their approach to sampling gallbladders, and furthermore, that pathologists from different continents apply highly variable criteria in determining stage of invasion in this organ. These findings raised the question of whether these variations in pathologic evaluation could account for the vastly different survival rates of T2 GBC reported in the literature. In this study, survival of 316 GBCs from three countries (Chile n = 137, South Korea n = 105, USA n = 74), all adequately sampled (with a minimum of five tumor sections examined) and histopathologically verified as pT2 (after consensus examination by expert pathologists from three continents), was analyzed. Chilean patients had a significantly worse prognosis based on 5-year all-cause mortality (HR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.27-2.83, p = 0.002) and disease-specific mortality (HR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.51-3.84, p < 0.001), compared to their South Korean counterparts, even when controlled for age and sex. Comparing the USA to South Korea, the survival differences in all-cause mortality (HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.12-2.75, p = 0.015) and disease-specific mortality (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.14-3.31, p = 0.015) were also pronounced. The 3-year disease-specific survival rates in South Korea, the USA, and Chile were 75%, 65%, and 55%, respectively, the 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 60%, 50%, and 50%, respectively, and the overall 5-year survival rates were 55%, 45%, and 35%, respectively. In conclusion, the survival of true T2 GBC in properly classified cases is neither as good nor as bad as previously documented in the literature and shows notable geographic differences even in well-sampled cases with consensus histopathologic criteria. Future studies should focus on other potential reasons including biologic, etiopathogenetic, management-related, populational, or healthcare practice-related factors that may influence the survival differences of T2 GBC in different regions.

Etiology of obstructive jaundice and its correlation with the ethnic population of Sikkim

Objective:

The aim of the study was to find out the etiology of obstructive jaundice and its correlation with the ethnic population of Sikkim.

Material and Method:

The data of patients with obstructive jaundice admitted under the Department of Gastroenterology was collected retrospectively from March 2019 till February 2020. There were a total of 73 patients of obstructive jaundice patients, the benign etiology was found to be more common than malignant etiology.

Results:

The male-to-female ratio in our study was 0.35:1. The most common etiology of benign cause of obstructive jaundice was choledocholithiasis (95.83%) followed by common bile duct stricture (3.07%), Mirizzi syndrome (1.53%). The most common causes of malignant obstructive jaundice were carcinoma of gall bladder (62.5%) followed by carcinoma of periampullary region (12.5%), cholangiocarcinoma (12.5%), carcinoma of head of pancreas (12.5%).

Conclusions:

The most common etiology of obstructive jaundice in this study was choledocholithiasis. There was no any correlation of obstructive jaundice with ethnic population of Sikkim.

Factors predicting recovery of liver function after percutaneous drainage in malignant biliary obstruction: the role of hospital-acquired biliary sepsis

Aim of the study

Prolonged cholestasis adversely affects liver function. Hepatic functional recovery is mandatory prior to any surgical or medical intervention. Serum bilirubin levels correlate well with, and are a surrogate marker for, hepatocyte function. We aimed to ascertain factors responsible for slow decline of bilirubin and delayed recovery of liver function following percutaneous drainage in malignant biliary obstruction.

Material and methods

Sixty-seven patients with malignant jaundice who underwent percutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD) were followed until they achieved target bilirubin ≤ 3 mg/dl. According to duration, patients were divided into early (≤ 6 weeks, n = 43) and late (> 6 weeks, n = 24) groups. Various clinical, tumour-related and procedure-related factors were analysed for their contribution to delayed recovery with the χ² or t-test. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis was used to predict independent associations.

Results

Gallbladder cancer presenting with type I block was the commonest pathology. Overall demographic, clinical, tumour characteristics and procedural details were comparable between groups. Duration of jaundice (p = 0.026), liver involvement (p = 0.041), baseline total (p = 0.001) and direct bilirubin levels (p < 0.001), positive bile cultures with hospital-acquired bacteria (p = 0.031) were significant factors on univariate analysis. Bacterial growth was significantly greater following repeated biliary manipulations. The commonest organisms were Pseudomonas and Citrobacter spp. Number of re-instrumentations, post-procedural biliary sepsis and native biliary organisms were non-contributory. No factor was significant on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Factors directly linked to extent and duration of disease are validated as significant contributors to functional recovery after biliary drainage. Biliary sepsis with hospital-acquired organisms, especially following re-interventions is a significant modifiable risk-factor affecting bilirubin decline.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of biliary tract cancers 2019: The 3rd English edition

BACKGROUND

The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery launched the clinical practice guidelines for the management of biliary tract cancers (cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, and ampullary cancer) in 2007, then published the 2nd version in 2014.

METHODS

In this 3rd version, clinical questions (CQs) were proposed on six topics. The recommendation, grade for recommendation, and statement for each CQ were discussed and finalized by an evidence-based approach. Recommendations were graded as Grade 1 (strong) or Grade 2 (weak) according to the concepts of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

The 31 CQs covered the six topics: (a) prophylactic treatment, (b) diagnosis, (c) biliary drainage, (d) surgical treatment, (e) chemotherapy, and (f) radiation therapy. In the 31 CQs, 14 recommendations were rated strong and 14 recommendations weak. The remaining three CQs had no recommendation. Each CQ includes a statement of how the recommendations were graded.

CONCLUSIONS

This latest guideline provides recommendations for important clinical aspects based on evidence. Future collaboration with the cancer registry will be key for assessing the guidelines and establishing new evidence.

The significance of anatomic tumor location in gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Current management guidelines recognize the impact of hepatic versus peritoneal sided gallbladder cancers (GBC) on survival. However, no data exist regarding the significance of anatomic tumor location within the gallbladder.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all GBC that underwent surgical resection with curative intent in our health system from 2007 to 2017. We evaluated the effect of anatomic pathologic tumor location (fundus/body, neck, and multifocal) on clinicopathologic, perioperative, and oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

About 97 patients met criteria; 63% fundus/body, 22% multifocal, and 15% neck. Compared with fundus/body, neck tumors more frequently presented with preoperative jaundice (53% vs. 13%, p < .001), were smaller (20 mm vs. 30 mm, p = .068) and had significantly more biliary tree invasion (33% vs. 13%, p = .030) on histopathology. Although tumor characteristics (pTNM stage, liver invasion, lymphovascular invasion, prognostic nutritional index, and grade) were similar, neck tumors had significantly higher rates of R0 resection (53% vs. 11%, p < .001). Rates of adjuvant therapy were similar. Median PFS was similar between cohorts (p = .356). However, median overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter in neck (21 months) than fundus/body tumors (NR > 109 months), p = .015.

CONCLUSIONS

Neck tumors were rare, small and more likely to result in jaundice secondary to biliary tree invasion. Despite higher R0 resection rates, these tumors had significantly worse OS.

Geographical pattern of carcinoma gallbladder in Bihar and its association with river Ganges and arsenic levels: Retrospective individual consecutive patient data from Regional Cancer Centre

Background:

Indo-Gangetic basin is known to have higher incidence of gallbladder cancer. Proximity to River Ganga and high heavy metal in soil exposure have been postulated as risk factors.

Aim:

This study aims to evaluate the geographical pattern of gallbladder cancer from consecutive patient database enrolled in hospital-based cancer registry (HBCR).

Objectives:

To evaluate demographic profile and districtwise/zonewise dispersion of gallbladder cancer cases registered in HBCR from year 2014 to 2016. To evaluate association of carcinoma gallbladder (CaGB) due to proximity of Ganges, districts of high soil arsenic levels and referral bias.

Materials and Methods:

Demographic profile and district-based location of individual consecutive gallbladder cancer patient registered in Regional Cancer Centre from the year 2014 till 2016 were analyzed. Population data from 2011 census and arsenic soil content data from central groundwater body were obtained. Frequency distribution, cross tabulation, and odds ratio were used to analyze risk of CaGB across population subsets in Bihar.

Results:

A total of 1291 consecutive patients of CaGB were registered from 2014 to 2016. Median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range 18–95 years). Male to female ratio was 0.6. Patna (16%) followed by Vaishali (5.8%), Sitamarhi (5%), Madhubani (4.7%), Gaya (4%), and Samastipur (4%) had highest cases. Districts along main central River Ganga (n = 12) and those exposed to high arsenic soil content (n = 15) had higher odds ratio for CaGB, 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54–1.91, P = 0.001), and 1.45 (95% CI: 1.30–1.62, P = 0.001), respectively. Districts within 100 km radius of our institute had higher gallbladder cancer cases, odds ratio 1.81 (95% CI: 1.62–2.03, P = 0.001), suggesting significant referral bias predominantly contributed by cases registered under Patna and Vaishali districts.

Conclusion:

CaGB is major public health problem in Bihar. Exposure to high soil arsenic levels and proximity to River Ganga are strongly associated with gallbladder cancer. Systematic population-based longitudinal studies are needed to explore above hypothesis.

Immunoproteomics approach revealed elevated autoantibody levels against ANXA1 in early stage gallbladder carcinoma

Background

Early diagnosis is important for the timely treatment of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) patients and may lead to increased survival outcomes. Here, we have applied serological proteome analysis (SERPA), an immunoproteomics approach, for the detection of ‘tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that elicit humoral response’ in early stage GBC patients.

Methods

Total protein from pooled tumor tissue of GBC patients (n = 7) was resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by immunoblotting using pooled blood plasma from healthy volunteers (n = 11) or gallstone disease (GSD) cases (n = 11) or early stage GBC (Stage I and II) (n = 5) or GBC stage IIIA (n = 9). 2-D gel and immunoblot images were acquired and analyzed using PDQuest software to identify immunoreactive spots in GBC cases in comparison to controls. Proteins from immunoreactive spots were identified by liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometric analysis (LC-MS/MS). Autoantibody levels for two of the functionally relevant proteins were investigated in individual plasma samples (52 cases and 89 controls) by dot blot assay using recombinant proteins.

Results

Image analysis using PDQuest software identified 25 protein spots with significantly high or specific immunoreactivity in GBC cases. Mass spectrometric analysis of 8 corresponding protein spots showing intense immunoreactivity (based on densitometric analysis) in early stage GBC or GBC stage IIIA cases led to the identification of 27 proteins. Some of the identified proteins include ANXA1, HSPD1, CA1, CA2, ALDOA and CTSD. Among the two proteins, namely ANXA1 and HSPD1 verified using a cohort of samples, significantly elevated autoantibody levels against ANXA1 were observed in early stage GBC cases in comparison to healthy volunteers or GSD cases (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for ANXA1 showed an Area under the Curve (AUC) of 0.69, with 41.7% sensitivity against a specificity of 89.9% for early stage GBC. IHC analysis for ANXA1 protein showed ‘high’ expression levels in 72% of GBC cases whereas all the controls showed ‘low’ expression levels.

Conclusions

The study suggests that the ANXA1 autoantibody levels against ANXA1 may be potentially employed for early stage detection of GBC patients. Other proteins could also be explored and verified in a large cohort of clinical samples.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-020-07676-6.

Tumor-suppressive microRNA-551b-3p targets H6PD to inhibit gallbladder cancer progression

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly malignant cancer with poor prognosis. Extensive studies have reported the vital functionality of several microRNAs (miRNAs) in numerous human cancers, including GBC. Microarray analysis has identified the differentially expressed miR-551b-3p in GBC. Therefore, this study aims to validate the underlying mechanism by which miR-551b-3p participated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and migration of GBCs. Bioinformatic analysis predicted the binding of miR-551b-3p to H6PD. We validated the reduced miR-551b-3p expression and increased H6PD expression in the GBC tissues and GBC cell lines. Artificial modulation of miR-551b-3p and H6PD (down- and upregulation) was conducted to explore their roles in EMT, invasive, and migratory abilities of GBCs, and the tumor-bearing mice were used to determine tumor growth. Overexpression of miR-551b-3p or silencing of H6PD was observed to suppress the expressions of N-cadherin and vimentin, and to promote the expression of E-cadherin, along with reduced invasive and migratory ability of GBCs. Mechanistically, miR-551b-3p could evidently target and inhibit the expression of H6PD. Moreover, in vivo experiments substantiated the tumor-inhibiting activities of miR-551b-3p in nude mice. Conjointly, our study suggests that overexpression of miR-551b-3p inhibited the EMT, migration, and invasion of GBCs by inhibiting the expression of H6PD, indicating that miR-551b-3p may serve as a potential target for future development of therapeutic strategies for GBC.

Preoperative Immune Prognostic Index Can Predict the Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Gallbladder Cancer: Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

The immune prognostic index (IPI) has been used as a prognostic biomarker in various cancers. However, the prognostic value of the IPI in gallbladder cancer remains to be determined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 139 patients who were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after surgical resection from 2003 to 2017. We used a Kaplan-Meier curve analysis to evaluate the overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazards regression methodology was used to identify significant independent prognostic factors. Prognostic nomograms for predicting OS were established to achieve superior discriminatory abilities. The prognostic nomograms were verified according to the concordance index, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses in the training cohort and validation cohort.

RESULTS

Of all 139 patients, 87 (62.6%) patients accepted R0 resection, 32% and 68% were stratified into the good and poor IPI group, respectively. The median OS was 55.9 (range, 5.93-182.7) months in the good IPI group and 15.47 (range, 0.29-190.37) months in the poor IPI group (P < 0.001). In the multivariate Cox model, the IPI was an independent predictor of OS along with the CA19-9, curative resection, and postoperative chemoradiotherapy. A nomogram based on these factors was efficient in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probabilities. The nomogram showed higher sensitivity and specificity than the current cancer TNM staging system in the training cohort and validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

The IPI is an independent prognostic factor in gallbladder cancer. Our IPI-based nomogram can serve as a useful and convenient prognostic tool for gallbladder cancer.

Modification of the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for gallbladder carcinoma to improve prognostic precision

BACKGROUND

The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) came into force since 2018. However, the prognostic precision of this staging system has not been properly assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the latest staging system and suggest modifications to improve its prognostic precision.

METHODS

Data of patients with GBC was included from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (2004-2015) and multicenter database (2010-2017). Baseline clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded including age, sex, race, grade, T category, N category, M category and stage. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival functions. The prediction power of the AJCC 8th edition and its modified version were evaluated using the concordance index (C-index).

RESULTS

A total of 2779 GBC patients were included in the SEER database and 591 were collected from multicenter database. While no significant difference in survival of patients was observed between stages IVA and IVB using the 8th AJCC staging system (p > 0.05), the prognosis of stage IIIA showed a slightly better outcome than stage IIIB (p = 0.046) in the SEER database. In the multicenter database, there was no significant difference between stage IIIA and stage IIIB (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference in the survival of patients between stages IIIA and IIIB was observed when M0 patients with at least 6 lymph nodes (LNs) were analyzed (p > 0.05) for both SEER and multicenter database. On the other hand, a modified staging system was able to stratify patients from stage IIIA, stage IIIB and stage IV (p < 0.001). For the SEER database, the C-indexes of 8th AJCC staging system and that of its modified version were 0.709 and 0.742, respectively. For the multicenter database, the C-index of 8th AJCC staging system and that of our modified version were 0.635 and 0.679, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified 8th staging system proposed in this study can improve the prognostic precision of the 8th AJCC staging system for GBC. We therefore suggest including these modifications in the next update of AJCC staging system for GBC.

Metastasis to Breast From Carcinoma Gallbladder: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the commonest malignancy among biliary tract cancers. Locoregional spread in GBC is more common than distant metastasis. The liver and abdominal lymph nodes is the most common site of distant metastasis. Breast metastasis is a rare site of dissemination. GBC is an aggressive tumor and carries a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%. Metastasis to the breast from a gallbladder is significantly less and accounts for very few cases. Here, we are reporting a rare case of carcinoma gallbladder metastasis to the breast who survived for 38 months from the diagnosis of GBC and around 25 months after breast metastasis.

Diagnosing Primary Malignancy in Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis by Using CSF Cytology and Immunohistochemistry: A Case Report

We present a rare case of recurrent carcinoma of gallbladder with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology showed atypical cells, which were suspicious for malignancy on initial reporting. Diagnosis of malignancy and primary from hepatobiliary source was confirmed by doing immunohistochemistry on CSF cell block.

Targeting Hypoxia Using Evofosfamide and Companion Hypoxia Imaging of FMISO-PET in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

Purpose

Hypoxia is widely known as one of the mechanisms of chemoresistance and as an environmental condition which triggers invasion and metastasis of cancer. Evofosfamide is a hypoxia-activated prodrug of the cytotoxin bromo-isophosphoramide mustard conjugated with 2-nitroimidazole. Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is known to contain large hypoxic area. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of evofosfamide as a second-line treatment of advanced BTC.

Materials and Methods

Patients received evofosfamide at a dose of 340 mg/m² on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle. Primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 4-months (4m-PFSR). Secondary end-points included overall survival (OS), PFS, disease control rate (DCR), metabolic response by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET), hypoxic parameters evaluated by ¹⁸F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET and toxicity.

Results

Twenty patients were treated with evofosfamide, with 16 response-evaluable patients. There was no objective response; stable disease was observed in nine patients, with a DCR of 56.25%. 4m-PFSR was 40.6%. Median PFS was 3.60 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68 to 5.52). Median OS was 6.37 months (95% CI, 3.94 to 8.79). Reduction of tumor metabolic activity was observed in eight of 15 patients (53.3%). High baseline hypoxic parameters were associated with poor PFS. Change of hypoxic parameters between pretreatment and post-treatment reflected hypoxic-activated drug response. There was no treatment-related death.

Conclusion

Evofosfamide as second-line treatment of advanced BTC showed acceptable safety and comparable efficacy to other agents. Changes in volumetric parameters measured with FMISO PET, showing the degree of tumor hypoxia, reflected the response to evofosfamide based on the mode of action.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy with Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil for Advanced Gallbladder Cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil for patients with advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with advanced GBC, who underwent HAIC with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil from January 2012 to July 2019, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The HAIC regimen consisted of infusions of oxaliplatin at 40 mg/m² for 2 h, followed by 5-fluorouracil at 800 mg/m² for 22 h on days 1-3 every 3-4 weeks. A maximum of six cycles of HAIC were applied for tumor control patients followed by maintenance with oral capecitabine or S-1. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response, and adverse events were investigated.

RESULTS

Six of the 26 patients (23.1%) had failed systemic chemotherapy, 8/26 (30.8%) patients had failed various local therapies, and 9/26 (34.6%) patients had contraindications to systemic chemotherapy. The median OS was 13.5 months, and the median PFS was 10.0 months. The overall response rate was 69.2% (18/26), and disease control rate was 92.3% (24/26). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ≥ 10 U/ml (p = 0.003) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) ≥ 200 U/ml (p = 0.000) were independent risk factors for decreased survival. The most frequent Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse event was liver dysfunction (4, 15.4%).

CONCLUSION

HAIC with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil is an acceptable and well-tolerated treatment for advanced gallbladder cancer even for patients in whom systemic chemotherapy had failed or is contraindicated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2, Observation Study with Dramatic Effect.

Survival analysis of patients with primary gallbladder cancer from 2010 to 2015: A retrospective study based on SEER data

This study aims to assess the survival status of patients with Primary gallbladder cancer (PGC) and analyze the prognosis factors to facilitate the exploration of the prevention and therapeutic strategies of PGC.Data from 2433 PGC patients collected from 2010 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The SEER*Stat, SPSS 23.0 and GraphPad Prism 8 were used for statistical analyses. Kaplan Meier analysis was performed for the survival curve, log-rank test analyses were used to compare the survival rate difference and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognosis factors.A total of 2433 PGC cases were reported from 2010 to 2015. The median age was 64.2 ± 10.4 years old and the percentages of the white patients were 73.7% (1794/2433). The percentage of patients who received surgery treatment was 82.1% (1998/2433). The overall median survival time of all patients was 19 months and the 5-year survival rate was 28.8%. The 5-year survival rate of PGC patients in pN2 stage dropped to 0% and the 5-year survival rate for PGC patients with distant metastasis was only 2.7%. Age, tumor size, grade, pT stage, pM stage were risk factors for prognosis, surgery or not and radiation or not were protective factors for prognosis.Survival analysis of PGC patients based on the SEER database have provided an opportunity for understanding PGC prognosis and the basis for the exploration of viable PGC prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Genotoxic Effect of Salmonella Paratyphi A Infection on Human Primary Gallbladder Cells

Bacterial infections are increasingly being recognized as risk factors for the development of adenocarcinomas. The strong epidemiological evidence linking Helicobacter pylori infection to stomach cancer has paved the way to the demonstration that bacterial infections cause DNA damage in the host cells, initiating transformation. In this regard, the role of bacterial genotoxins has become more relevant. Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A have been clinically associated with gallbladder cancer. By harnessing the stem cell potential of cells from healthy human gallbladder explant, we regenerated and propagated the epithelium of this organ in vitro and used these cultures to model S. Paratyphi A infection. This study demonstrates the importance of the typhoid toxin, encoded only by these specific serovars, in causing genomic instability in healthy gallbladder cells, posing intoxicated cells at risk of malignant transformation.

Carcinoma of the gallbladder (GBC) is the most frequent tumor of the biliary tract. Despite epidemiological studies showing a correlation between chronic infection with Salmonella enterica Typhi/Paratyphi A and GBC, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this fatal connection are still uncertain. The murine serovar Salmonella Typhimurium has been shown to promote transformation of genetically predisposed cells by driving mitogenic signaling. However, insights from this strain remain limited as it lacks the typhoid toxin produced by the human serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A. In particular, the CdtB subunit of the typhoid toxin directly induces DNA breaks in host cells, likely promoting transformation. To assess the underlying principles of transformation, we used gallbladder organoids as an infection model for Salmonella Paratyphi A. In this model, bacteria can invade epithelial cells, and we observed host cell DNA damage. The induction of DNA double-strand breaks after infection depended on the typhoid toxin CdtB subunit and extended to neighboring, non-infected cells. By cultivating the organoid derived cells into polarized monolayers in air-liquid interphase, we could extend the duration of the infection, and we observed an initial arrest of the cell cycle that does not depend on the typhoid toxin. Non-infected intoxicated cells instead continued to proliferate despite the DNA damage. Our study highlights the importance of the typhoid toxin in causing genomic instability and corroborates the epidemiological link between Salmonella infection and GBC.

Gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct cancers in the Americas: Incidence and mortality patterns and trends

Trends in gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality in populations across the Americas can provide insight into shifting epidemiologic patterns and the current and potential impact of preventative and curative programs. Estimates of gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct cancer incidence and mortality for the year 2018 were extracted from International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN database for 185 countries. Recorded registry-based incidence from 13 countries was extracted from IARCs Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series and corresponding national deaths from the WHO mortality database. Among females, the highest estimated incidence for gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct cancer in the Americas were found in Bolivia (21.0 per 100,000), Chile (11.7) and Peru (6.0). In the US, the highest incidence rates were observed among Hispanics (1.8). In the Chilean population, gallbladder cancer rates declined in both females and males between 1998 and 2012. Rates dropped slightly in Canada, Costa Rica, US Whites and Hispanics in Los Angeles. Gallbladder cancer mortality rates also decreased across the studied countries, although rising trends were observed in Colombia and Canada after 2010. Countries within Southern and Central America tended to have a higher proportion of unspecified biliary tract cancers. In public health terms, the decline in gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates is encouraging. However, the slight increase in mortality rates during recent years in Colombia and Canada warrant further attention. Higher proportions of unspecified biliary tract cancers (with correspondingly higher mortality rates) suggest more rigorous pathology procedures may be needed after surgery.

Prognostic factors in patients with gallbladder adenocarcinoma identified using competing-risks analysis: A study of cases in the SEER database

A competing-risks model was developed in this study to identify the significant prognostic factors and evaluate the cumulative incidence of cause-specific death in gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBAC), with the aim of providing guidance on effective clinical treatments.All patients with GBAC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database during 1973 to 2015 were identified. The potential prognostic factors were identified using competing-risks analyses implemented using the R and SAS statistical software packages. We calculated the cumulative incidence function (CIF) for cause-specific death and death from other causes at each time point. The Fine-Gray proportional-subdistribution-hazards model was then applied in univariate and multivariate analyses to test the differences in CIF between different groups and identify independent prognostic factors.This study included 3836 eligible patients who had been enrolled from 2004 to 2015 in the SEER database. The univariate analysis indicated that age, race, AJCC stage, RS, tumor size, SEER historic stage, grade, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy (RCT, SRT, SCT and SRCT) were significant factors affecting the probability of death due to GBAC. The multivariate analysis indicated that age, race, AJCC stage, RS status, tumor size, grade and SRT were independent prognostic factors affecting GBAC cancer-specific death. A nomogram model was constructed based on multivariate models for death related to GBAC.We have constructed the first competing-risks nomogram for GBAC. The model was found to perform well. This novel validated prognostic model may facilitate the choosing of beneficial treatment strategies and help when predicting survival.

A Novel Staging System to Forecast the Cancer-Specific Survival of Patients With Resected Gallbladder Cancer

Objective: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors, and there is no effective and convenient method for predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS). We aim to develop a novel nomogram staging system based on the positive lymph node ratio (pLNR) for GBC patients.

Methods:A total of 1,356 patients enrolled in the study. We evaluated the prognostic value of the pLNR and built a prognostic nomogram staging system based on the pLNR in the training cohort. The concordance index and calibration plots were used to evaluate model discrimination. The predictive accuracy and clinical value of the nomograms were measured by decision curve analysis (DCA). The CSS nomogram was further validated in an internal validation cohort.

Results:The pLNR was an independent prognostic factor for CSS based on Cox regression analyses. A prognostic nomogram that combined T classification, pLNR, M classification, histologic grade, live metastasis, and tumor size was formulated with a c-index of 0.763 (95% CI, 0.728–0.798), while the c-indexes for the staging system of AJCC 8th, 7th, and 6th for CSS prediction were 0.718, 0.718, and 0.717, respectively. The calibration curves showed perfect agreement. The DCA showed that the nomogram provided substantial clinical value. The nomogram (the AUCs for 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.693, 0.716, and 0.726, respectively,) showed high prognostic accuracy.

Conclusion:We have developed a formulated nomogram staging system based on the pLNR that allows more accurate individualized predictions of CSS for resected GBC patients than the AJCC staging systems.

Safe, selective histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens: a systematic review

Background

Routine histopathological examination after cholecystectomy is costly, but the prevalence of unsuspected gallbladder cancer (incidental GBC) is low. This study determined whether selective histopathological examination is safe.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed. Pooled incidences of incidental and truly incidental GBC (GBC detected during histopathological examination without preoperative or intraoperative suspicion) were estimated using a random‐effects model. The clinical consequences of truly incidental GBC were assessed.

Results

Seventy‐three studies (232 155 patients) were included. In low‐incidence countries, the pooled incidence was 0·32 (95 per cent c.i. 0·25 to 0·42) per cent for incidental GBC and 0·18 (0·10 to 0·35) per cent for truly incidental GBC. Subgroup analysis of studies in which surgeons systematically examined the gallbladder revealed a pooled incidence of 0·04 (0·01 to 0·14) per cent. In high‐incidence countries, corresponding pooled incidences were 0·83 (0·58 to 1·18), 0·44 (0·21 to 0·91) and 0·08 (0·02 to 0·39) per cent respectively. Clinical consequences were reported for 176 (39·3 per cent) of 448 patients with truly incidental GBC. Thirty‐three patients (18·8 per cent) underwent secondary surgery. Subgroup analysis showed that at least half of GBC not detected during the surgeon's systematic examination of the gallbladder was early stage (T1a status or below) and of no clinical consequence.

Conclusion

Selective histopathological examination of the gallbladder after initial macroscopic assessment by the surgeon seems safe and could reduce costs.

Comparison between Fluoropyrimidine-Cisplatin and Gemcitabine-Cisplatin as First-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP) has been regarded as standard first-line chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). Fluoropyrimidine-cisplatin (FP) has also shown a survival benefit. However, the clinical choice between them is controversial.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of the two chemotherapy regimens.

RESULTS

A total of 5 studies (2 randomized controlled trials, RCTs, and 3 retrospective studies) involving 727 patients were included. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in overall response rate, ORR (risk ratio, RR = 1.13, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.80-1.58, p = 0.489), disease control rate, DCR (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.91-1.13, p = 0.751), progression-free survival/time to progression (hazard rate, HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.86-1.05, p = 0.315) and overall survival (HR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.98-1.14, p = 0.125). As compared with GP, FP showed lower incidences of all grade 3/4 adverse events with statistical significance (p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis of RCTs, no statistical differences were found between FP and GP in ORR (RR = 1.06; 95% CI 0.58-1.95; p = 0.842) and DCR (RR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.00-1.50; p = 0.056), but FP showed significantly lower incidences of all grade 3/4 adverse events compared with GP (p < 0.01). Some limitations of the meta-analysis are retrospective studies included, some end points within the trials missing rendering a pooled analysis of the two RCTs impossible and heterogeneous fluoropyrimidine combinations. All studies were performed in Asia which are not completely transferable to European patients.

CONCLUSION

With some limitations, the meta-analysis suggested that FP seems to be as effective as GP with a more favorable safety profile in first-line chemotherapy for Asian patients with advanced BTC.

Adeno-squamous and squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder: The importance of histology in surgical management

BACKGROUND

Although gallbladder adenocarcinoma (AC) is potentially curable with resection, outcomes of squamous histologies are poorly described.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all gallbladder cancers which underwent resection-for-cure in our health system from 2007 to 2017. We compared outcomes of AC to adeno-squamous (ASC)/squamous (SC) histologies.

RESULTS

91 patients met criteria; 76 AC, 15 ASC/SC. Compared to AC, ASC/SC tumors were larger (58 vs. 28 mm), with more frequent liver invasion (73% vs. 37%), pN+ (60% vs. 32%), higher stage (III/IV 73% vs. 52%), and displayed more LVI (60% vs. 36%), p < 0.05. For stage III/IV disease, provided R0 was achieved, survival was durable and similar for ASC/SC and AC (OS median 28mo ASC/SC vs. 25mo AC, p = 0.132; PFS median 21mo ASC/SC vs. 13mo AC, p = 0.206). Pure SC had considerably poorer median OS (<5mo) than ASC (23mo) and AC (28mo).

DISCUSSION

Squamous variants of gallbladder cancer confer aggressive and advanced disease and often require more radical resections to achieve R0. Durable survival is possible in ASC provided R0 is achieved. Pure SC has dismal survival even with R0 resection.

Prediction Efficacy for Clinical Outcome of Prognostic Nutritional Index in Patients with Resectable Biliary Tract Cancer Depends on Sex and Obstructive Jaundice Status

BACKGROUND

The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), a marker of nutritional status and systemic inflammation, is a proven prognostic biomarker in some cancers. The predictive value of PNI in biliary tract cancer (BTC) has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the PNI and outcomes of resectable BTC.

METHODS

In total, 430 patients with stage I-III resectable BTC [gallbladder cancer (GBC), n = 212; cholangiocarcinoma (CHO), n = 218] who had attended Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital were enrolled. The relationship between the PNI and clinical outcomes was evaluated both in the whole cohort and in selected subgroups.

RESULTS

Eligible patients were classified into PNI-low (PNI < 45) and PNI-high (PNI ≥ 45) groups. The PNI-low group had significantly worse overall survival (OS) in both the whole cohort (p = 0.002) and in the GBC subgroup (p = 0.001), but had similar OS as the PNI-high group in the CHO subgroup (p = 0.328). Multivariate analysis revealed that low PNI is an independent risk factor for worse survival in GBC (hazard ratio 1.623, 95% confidence interval 1.063-2.480, p = 0.026). PNI was found to predict clinical outcome in women (p < 0.001) and patients without obstructive jaundice (p = 0.017) with GBC, but was not a prognostic factor in any subgroup with CHO. The estimated area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve was significantly greater when TNM stage was combined with PNI in women with GBC.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI is an independent predictor of OS in GBC, but not in CHO. It has no prognostic value in men with GBC or patients with obstructive jaundice.

Rare cancers are not rare in Asia as well: The rare cancer burden in East Asia

INTRODUCTION

Epidemiologic information on rare cancers is scarce outside of the Western countries. The project "surveillance of rare cancers in Asia" (RARECAREnet Asia) provides, for the first time, the burden of rare cancers in some Asian countries based on the latest list.

OBJECTIVES

1) to assess whether the European list of rare cancers fits the Asian setting and 2) to compare the incidences of rare cancers between Europe and Asian countries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Population-based cancer registry data on patients diagnosed from 2011 to 2015 in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2007 in 94 European registries were analysed. The incidences for all cancers were calculated; they were then grouped into several tiers and families according to the rare cancer list, and whether cancers rare was examined.

RESULTS

Rare cancer counts according to the list in the observed population were 196 in Japan, 203 in Korea, 198 in Taiwan, and 198 in the EU. The proportions of rare in overall incidence were 16.3% in Japan, 23.7% in Korea, 24.2% in Taiwan, and 22.2% in the EU. The numbers of newly diagnosed rare cancer cases in 2015 were 140,188 in Japan, 52,071 in Korea, and 24,147 in Taiwan.

CONCLUSION

Most rare cancers in Europe were also rare in the Asian countries considered. The observed differences were due to well-known risk factors. The European definition and list of rare cancers appear to reflect well cancer incidence in East Asia.

Genomic Landscape and Targeted Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer: Results of a First Ongoing Prospective Study

Background  Prognosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) has not changed in the past 20 years. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) carries potential to determine the actionability for multiple targets, including ERBB2 , ERBB3 , MET , ROSI , FGFR , and PIK3 . This study evaluates the role of CGP and targeted therapies. Methods  This is a multicenter, prospective, single-arm study. All consecutive patients of unresectable and/or metastatic GBC of age ≥18 years were enrolled. Hybrid capture-based CGP was performed by Foundation Medicine CDx. All patients received first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen. Patients with ERBB2/3 amplification received trastuzumab with capecitabine or nab-paclitaxel, and patients with MET amplification were treated with crizotinib. For ERBB2/3 mutations, lapatinib plus capecitabine regimen was used. Results  Fifty patients were studied with a median age of 56 years (range 26-83) and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.6. ERBB2 and ERBB3 amplification was seen in 9 (18%) and 2 (4%) patients, respectively. Four patients with ERBB2 amplification received trastuzumab and/or lapatinib, showed partial response, and maintained response beyond 12 weeks. One patient had mixed response, whereas two patients progressed on trastuzumab and lapatinib. Three patients with ERBB3 mutations showed response to lapatinib-capecitabine. One patient with MET amplification responded to crizotinib for 4 weeks. PIK3 mutations were present in 14% of cases and were independent of ERBB aberrations. Conclusion  GBC is enriched in 28% of patients with ERBB2 and ERBB3 amplifications and/or mutations. Responses are seen with lapatinib in concurrent ERBB2 mutation and amplification. ERBB3 mutation showed response to lapatinib. MET and PIK3 are new findings in GBC, which may be targeted.

The Landmark Series: Gallbladder Cancer

Given the rarity of gallbladder carcinoma, level I evidence to guide the multimodal treatment of this disease is lacking. Since 2010, four randomized phase III clinical trials including ABC-02, PRODIGE-12/ACCORD-18, BILCAP, and BCAT, and a single-arm phase II trial (SWOG0809) have been reported on the use of adjuvant strategies for biliary malignancies. These trials have led to the recommendation that patients with resected biliary tract cancer should be offered adjuvant capecitabine chemotherapy and those with R1 margins could be considered for chemoradiotherapy. Because there is no level I evidence to guide neoadjuvant therapy or surgical management, current consensus is based on strong retrospective data. The following review summarizes available trials and highlights the best available evidence that form the basis of consensus statements for the multimodal management of gallbladder carcinoma.

Role of tumour location and surgical extent on prognosis in T2 gallbladder cancer: an international multicentre study

BACKGROUND

In gallbladder cancer, stage T2 is subdivided by tumour location into lesions on the peritoneal side (T2a) or hepatic side (T2b). For tumours on the peritoneal side (T2a), it has been suggested that liver resection may be omitted without compromising the prognosis. However, data to validate this argument are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of tumour location in T2 gallbladder cancer, and to clarify the adequate extent of surgical resection.

METHODS

Clinical data from patients who underwent surgery for gallbladder cancer were collected from 14 hospitals in Korea, Japan, Chile and the USA. Survival and risk factor analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Data from 937 patients were available for evaluation. The overall 5-year disease-free survival rate was 70·6 per cent, 74·5 per cent for those with T2a and 65·5 per cent among those with T2b tumours (P = 0·028). Regarding liver resection, extended cholecystectomy was associated with a better 5-year disease-free survival rate than simple cholecystectomy (73·0 versus 61·5 per cent; P = 0·012). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was marginally better for extended than simple cholecystectomy in both T2a (76·5 versus 66·1 per cent; P = 0·094) and T2b (68·2 versus 56·2 per cent; P = 0·084) disease. Five-year disease-free survival rates were similar for extended cholecystectomies including liver wedge resection versus segment IVb/V segmentectomy (74·1 versus 71·5 per cent; P = 0·720). In multivariable analysis, independent risk factors for recurrence were presence of symptoms (hazard ratio (HR) 1·52; P = 0·002), R1 resection (HR 1·96; P = 0·004) and N1/N2 status (N1: HR 3·40, P < 0·001; N2: HR 9·56, P < 0·001). Among recurrences, 70·8 per cent were metastatic.

CONCLUSION

Tumour location was not an independent prognostic factor in T2 gallbladder cancer. Extended cholecystectomy was marginally superior to simple cholecystectomy. A radical operation should include liver resection and adequate node dissection.

Identification of Altered Genes in Gallbladder Cancer as Potential Driver Mutations for Diagnostic and Prognostic Purposes: A Computational Approach

Prognostic markers for cancer can assist in the evaluation of survival probability of patients and help clinicians to assess the available treatment modalities. Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare tumor that causes 165 087 deaths in the world annually. It is the most common cancer of the biliary tract and has a particularly high incidence in Chile, Japan, and northern India. Currently, there is no accurate diagnosis test or effective molecular markers for GBC identification. Several studies have focused on the discovery of genetic alterations in important genes associated with GBC to propose novel diagnosis pathways and to create prognostic profiles. To achieve this, we performed data-mining of GBC in public repositories, harboring 133 samples of GBC, allowing us to describe relevant somatic mutations in important genes and to propose a genetic alteration atlas for GBC. In our results, we reported the 14 most altered genes in GBC: arid1a, arid2, atm, ctnnb1, erbb2, erbb3, kmt2c, kmt2d, kras, pik3ca, smad4, tert, tp53, and znf521 in samples from Japan, the United States, Chile, and China. Missense mutations are common among these genes. The annotations of many mutations revealed their importance in cancer development. The observed annotations mentioned that several mutations found in this repository are probably oncogenic, with a putative loss-of-function. In addition, they are hotspot mutations and are probably linked to poor prognosis in other cancers. We identified another 11 genes, which presented a copy number alteration in gallbladder database samples, which are ccnd1, ccnd3, ccne1, cdk12, cdkn2a, cdkn2b, erbb2, erbb3, kras, mdm2, and myc. The findings reported here can help to detect GBC cancer through the development of systems based on genetic alterations, for example, the development of a mutation panel specifically for GBC diagnosis, as well as the creation of prognostic profiles to accomplish the development of GBC and its prevalence.

Epidemiologic Study of Patients Registered in Oncology Unit at a Hepatobiliary Tertiary Care Center in India

Background: Cancer accounts for about 1 in 7 deaths, worldwide. Primary cancers of the hepatobiliary system are significant health problems worldwide and their management presents great challenges for the hepatobiliary specialist. The incidence of hepatobiliary malignancies is on an increasing trend in India. Study: We did a retrospective study for the epidemiologic, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with cancer registering for treatment in the oncology division at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India, between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. Results: Atotal of 502 new patients were registered during the study period. The majority of the patients were male (M:F 1.69:1), in the age group of 35–64 years (64.3%) and presented in advanced stages of the disease (72.7% in Stage III and IV). The most common cancers were gallbladder cancer (GBC) (29.7%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (17.3%). GBC was the most common in females (M: F 1:1.6), 86.6% were advanced (Stage III and IV), and gallstones were present in 44.3% patients (M: F 1:2.9). Periampullary carcinoma presented in early stages (71% in Stage I and II). Survival at 6 months (n = 110 evaluable patients) was 100% for Stage I, 88% for Stage II, 73.7% for Stage III and 42.1% for Stage IV, and 62.7% overall (P < 0.001). Survival at 6 months (n = 123 evaluable patients) was 56.5% for biliary cancers, 71.4% for HCC, and 75% for nonbiliary cancers (P = 0.15). 217 (43%) patients had one visit to the hospital and 168 (34%) patients had 2–5 visits with no or little follow-up. Conclusions: Most of the disease burden was in the male gender (GBC was more common in females), in the age group 35–64 years and with advanced disease presentation (except periampullary cancer). Survival diminished significantly with increasing stage of disease. Survival was worse for patients with biliary cancers. This could be due to advanced presentation, poor follow-up, and inadequate public health awareness.

Advances in adjuvant therapy of biliary tract cancer: an overview of current clinical evidence based on phase II and III trials

Patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) have a high recurrence rate after complete surgical resection. To reduce the risk of recurrence and to improve survival, several chemotherapeutic agents that have shown to be active in locally advanced and metastatic BTC have been investigated in the adjuvant setting in prospective clinical trials. Based on the results of the BILCAP phase III trial, capecitabine was adapted as the standard of care by the ASCO clinical practice guideline. Ongoing randomized controlled trials mainly compare capecitabine with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. This review provides an update of adjuvant therapy in BTC based on published data of phase II and III trials and ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Functional and genomic characterization of three novel cell lines derived from a metastatic gallbladder cancer tumor

Background

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common tumor of the biliary tract. The incidence of GBC shows a large geographic variability, being particularly frequent in Native American populations. In Chile, GBC represents the second cause of cancer-related death among women. We describe here the establishment of three novel cell lines derived from the ascitic fluid of a Chilean GBC patient, who presented 46% European, 36% Mapuche, 12% Aymara and 6% African ancestry.

Results

After immunocytochemical staining of the primary cell culture, we isolated and comprehensively characterized three independent clones (PUC-GBC1, PUC-GBC2 and PUC-GBC3) by short tandem repeat DNA profiling and RNA sequencing as well as karyotype, doubling time, chemosensitivity, in vitro migration capability and in vivo tumorigenicity assay. Primary culture cells showed high expression of CK7, CK19, CA 19-9, MUC1 and MUC16, and negative expression of mesothelial markers. The three isolated clones displayed an epithelial phenotype and an abnormal structure and number of chromosomes. RNA sequencing confirmed the increased expression of cytokeratin and mucin genes, and also of TP53 and ERBB2 with some differences among the three cells lines, and revealed a novel exonic mutation in NF1. The PUC-GBC3 clone was the most aggressive according to histopathological features and the tumorigenic capacity in NSG mice.

Conclusions

The first cell lines established from a Chilean GBC patient represent a new model for studying GBC in patients of Native American descent.

A Metallomic Approach to Assess Associations of Serum Metal Levels With Gallstones and Gallbladder Cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Exposure to metals may promote the risk for cancers. We evaluated the associations of a broad spectrum of metals with gallbladder cancer (GBC) and gallstones.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

A total of 259 patients with GBC, 701 patients with gallstones, and 851 population-based controls were enrolled in Shanghai, China. A metallome panel was used to simultaneously detect 18 metals in serum through inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Logistic regression models were used to estimate crude or adjusted odds ratios (OR_adj ) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between metal levels and gallbladder disease. Among the 18 metals tested, 12 were significantly associated with GBC and six with gallstones (P_corrected  < 0.002). Boron, lithium, molybdenum, and arsenic levels were associated with GBC compared to gallstones as well as with gallstones compared to population-based controls. Elevated levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, molybdenum, and vanadium were positively associated with GBC versus gallstones; and the OR_adj for the highest tertile (T3) compared to the lowest tertile (T1) ranged from 1.80 to 7.28, with evidence of dose-response trends (P < 0.05). Arsenic, boron, iron, lithium, magnesium, selenium, and sulfur were inversely associated with GBC, with the T3 versus T1 OR_adj ranging from 0.20 to 0.69. Arsenic, boron, calcium, lithium, molybdenum, and phosphorus were negatively associated with gallstones, with the T3 versus T1 OR_adj ranging from 0.50 to 0.75 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Metals were associated with both GBC and gallstones, providing cross-sectional evidence of association across the natural history of disease. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the temporality of metal exposure and gallbladder diseases and to investigate the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis.

Clinical Analysis of 15 Cases of Gallbladder Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and Comparison with Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Using a Propensity Score Matching

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma (GB-NEC).

Patients and Methods

Fifteen patients with GB-NEC and 171 patients with gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GB-ADC) treated in two tertiary medical centers between 2009 and 2015 were included. The clinicopathological features and prognostic risk factors of GB-NEC were analyzed retrospectively. A propensity score matching in a 1:2 ratio was used to compare the prognosis of GB-NEC and GB-ADC.

Results

For patients with GB-NEC, the median age of patients was 58.4 years (range 26–75), with a M:F ratio of 7:8. Based on 2010 WHO classification, ten cases were pathologically confirmed as NECs and five cases as MANECs. For TNM staging, eleven patients were stage III or above; while for Nevin staging, seven patients were stage IV or above. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) of GB-NEC were 60.0%, 38.8% and 31.1%, respectively, and the median survival time was 20.4 months. Patients with lymph node metastasis had significantly shorter survival than those without (OS: 10.4 vs 26.0 months, p<0.05). Accordingly, patients of Nevin stage III had better OS than those of Nevin stage IV (p<0.05), but other potential risk factors including gender, age, clinical symptoms, TNM stage, histopathologic subtype and treatment showed no significance. After the propensity score matching, the baseline variables had no significant difference between 15 patients with GB-NEC and 30 patients with GB-ADC, survival analysis showed GB-NEC had worse prognosis (3-year overall survival rate: 31.1% vs 63.8%, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Nevin staging helps classify patients of GB-NEC with different prognosis and the lymph node metastasis is a strong negative prognostic factor for OS. The propensity score analysis revealed even with the similar stage and treatment, GB-NEC still had worse OS than GB-ADC.

Incidental gallbladder cancer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidence, management, and prognosis

Aims

Although incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) diagnosed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not rare, its incidence, management, and prognosis are still unclear and controversial. The present study aimed to increase the understanding of IGBC after LC in the medical community.

Methods

Patients with IGBC treated at our institution between January 2001 and December 2018 were enrolled. Data collected included demographic characteristics, treatment pattern, pathological information, and prognoses. We compared the characteristics of patients with different prognoses and calculated the cumulative overall survival rate and mean survival period for IGBC.

Results

The cohort comprised 26 patients with a mean age of 66.4 ± 12.5 years. All patients were diagnosed with IGBC via postoperative pathology. Three patients underwent radical reoperation. As of June 2019, 26 patients were followed for a mean of 31.6 ± 29.6 months. Fourteen patients died during the follow‐up period, and 12 survived without recurrence. The mean survival duration was 50.5 months. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cumulative overall survival rates of the entire cohort were 79.8, 49.0, and 40.8%, respectively. IGBC patients with T1a stage had significantly longer survival than those with T1b or more advanced stages (96.1 vs 32.6 months, P = .006).

Conclusions

IGBC after LC is diagnosed in 0.2% of patients, accounting for 5.4% of all gallbladder cancer cases. IGBC patients with T1a stage had significantly longer survival than those with T1b or more advanced stages. Simple cholecystectomy is probably acceptable only in T1a lesions.

Expression of Female Sex Hormone Receptors, Connective Tissue Growth Factor and HER2 in Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly malignant tumor with poorly understood etiology. An insight into phenotypic features of this malignancy may add to the knowledge of its carcinogenesis and pave the way to new therapeutic approaches. We assessed the expression of female sex hormone receptors (ERα, ERβ, PR), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and HER2 in GBC, and adjacent normal tissue (NT), and determined their prognostic impact. Immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of all biomarkers was performed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens in 60 Caucasian GBC patients (51 women and 9 men). ERβ, cytoPR and CTGF expression were found in 89%, 27%, 91% of GBC, and in 63%, 87%, 100% of NT, respectively. No ERα expression was found in GBC and NT. Strong (3+) HER2 expression by IHC or HER2 amplification was seen in five GBC (10.4%). A positive correlation was found between HER2 and CTGF and ERβ expression in GBC and matched NT. In the multivariate analysis, patient age >70 years, tumor size and ERβ expression in GBC was highly predictive for OS (p = 0.003). The correlation between HER2, CTGF and ERβ expression in GBC and NT may indicate the interaction of these pathways in physiological processes and gallbladder pathology.