Allergies, obesity, other risk factors and survival from pancreatic cancer

Diabetes Status and Pancreatic Cancer Survival in the Nationwide Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

BACKGROUND

Long-standing type 2 diabetes is a known risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer, however, its influence on cancer-associated outcomes is understudied.

AIMS

To examine the associations between diabetes status and pancreatic cancer outcomes.

METHODS

We identified patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the national Veterans Administration System from 2010 to 2018. We classified each patient by pre-cancer diagnosis diabetes status: no diabetes, new-onset diabetes (NOD) of ≤ 3 years duration, or long-standing diabetes of > 3 years duration. We used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association between diabetes status and survival. We adjusted the models for age, race, sex, body mass index, tobacco, and alcohol use, coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, year of cancer diagnosis, and cancer stage and treatment.

RESULTS

We identified 6342 patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Most had long-standing diabetes (45.7%) prior to their cancer diagnosis, 14.5% had NOD, and 39.8% had no diabetes. Patients with long-standing diabetes had 10% higher mortality risk compared to patients without diabetes after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and medical comorbidities (adjusted HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.03-1.16). This difference in mortality remained statistically significant after additionally adjusting for cancer stage and receipt of potentially curative treatment (adjusted HR 1.09; 95% CI 1.02-1.15). There was no significant difference in mortality between patients with NOD compared to those without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-standing but not new-onset diabetes is independently associated with increased mortality among patients with pancreatic cancer. This information has implication for prognostication and risk stratification among pancreatic cancer patients.

Association of Long-Term, New-Onset, and Postsurgical Diabetes With Survival in Patients With Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis. Identifying modifiable risk factors, such as diabetes, is crucial. In the context of PDAC diagnosis, diabetes manifests as long-term (LTD), new-onset (NOD), or postsurgical (PSD) phenotypes. The link between these diabetes phenotypes and PDAC survival is debated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study on patients with resectable PDAC who underwent pancreatectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2003 to 2017. We utilized the National Death Index and electronic medical records to determine vital status. We categorized diabetes as LTD, NOD, or PSD based on the timing of diagnosis relative to pancreatic resection. Using multivariable Cox models, we assessed hazard ratios (HRs) for survival times associated with each phenotype, considering known PDAC prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Of 1556 patients, the 5-year survival was 19% (95% CI, 17-21). No significant survival differences were observed between diabetes phenotypes and non-diabetic patients. NOD and PSD presented nonsignificant increased risks of death (aHR: 1.14 [95% CI, 0.8-1.19] and 1.05 [95% CI, 0.89-1.25], respectively). LTD showed no survival difference (aHR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS

No link was found between diabetes phenotypes and survival in resectable PDAC patients. Comprehensive prospective studies are required to validate these results.

Impact of Smoking, Body Weight, Diabetes, Hypertension and Kidney Dysfunction on Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Patients-A Single Center Analysis of 2323 Patients within the Last Decade

In addition to being risk factors for pancreatic cancer, parameters such as smoking, diabetes, or obesity might also act as potential prognostic factors for the survival of patients initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By implementing one of the largest retrospective study cohorts of 2323 pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients treated at a single high-volume center, potential prognostic factors for survival were evaluated on the basis of 863 cases. Since parameters such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension can cause severe chronic kidney dysfunction, the glomerular filtration rate was also considered. In the univariate analyses, albumin (p < 0.001), active smoking (p = 0.024), BMI (p = 0.018), and GFR (p = 0.002) were identified as metabolic prognostic markers for overall survival. In multivariate analyses, albumin (p < 0.001) and chronic kidney disease stage 2 (GFR < 90 mL/min/1.37 m²; p = 0.042) were identified as independent metabolic prognostic markers for survival. Smoking presented a nearly statistically significant independent prognostic factor for survival with a p-value of 0.052. In summary, low BMI, status of active smoking, and reduced kidney function at the time of diagnosis were associated with lower overall survival. No prognostic association could be observed for presence of diabetes or hypertension.

Classification of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging Combined with Neural Networks

Despite numerous diagnostic and therapeutic advances, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a high mortality rate, and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in developing countries. Besides its increasing prevalence, pancreatic malignancies are characterized by poor prognosis. Omics technologies have potential relevance for PDAC assessment but are time-intensive and relatively cost-intensive and limited by tissue heterogeneity. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) can obtain spatially distinct peptide-signatures and enables tumor classification within a feasible time with relatively low cost. While MALDI-MSI data sets are inherently large, machine learning methods have the potential to greatly decrease processing time. We present a pilot study investigating the potential of MALDI-MSI in combination with neural networks, for classification of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Neural-network models were trained to distinguish between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and other pancreatic cancer types. The proposed methods are able to correctly classify the PDAC types with an accuracy of up to 86% and a sensitivity of 82%. This study demonstrates that machine learning tools are able to identify different pancreatic carcinoma from complex MALDI data, enabling fast prediction of large data sets. Our results encourage a more frequent use of MALDI-MSI and machine learning in histopathological studies in the future.

Survival and prognostic factors among hospitalized pancreatic cancer patients in northwestern Iran

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is associated with a poor prognosis, with various modifiable risk factors affecting the survival of patients. Our aim was to evaluate the survival rate and the prognostic factors influencing survival in PC patients in northwestern Iran.

Materials and Methods

All the PC patients admitted to the Imam Reza Hospital of Tabriz, Iran, from 2016 to 2020, were enrolled in this study. The survival rate and time were calculated, and the risk factors related to survival were evaluated by Cox regressions. The data were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model using STATA software.

Results

Of 110 patients, 12-, 24-, 36-, and 48-month survival rates were 29.1%, 19.8%, 14.1%, and 8.5%, respectively, with the median survival time of seven months. The mean age was 65.5 years. The results showed that a higher age (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 2.04 [1.20-3.46]), lower education (1.72 [1.03-2.89]), delayed diagnosis (1.03 [1.02-1.05]), hypertension (1.53 [1.01-2.31]), concomitant heart disorders (2.67 [1.50-4.74]), COPD (4.23 [1.01-17.69]), consanguineous marriage (1.59 [1.01-2.50]), and the presence of icterus complications (adjusted HR = 3.64 [1.56-8.49]) were directly associated with a worse survival. On the contrary, radiotherapy (0.10 [0.01-0.85]), chemotherapy (0.57 [0.36-0.89]), and surgical therapy (AHR = 0.48 [0.23-0.99]) were directly related to a good prognosis.

Conclusion

Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were the best predictors of survival in PC patients. Moreover, it seems that resolving jaundice can improve survival in these patients. It seems that increasing social awareness, treating underlying diseases, and employing an appropriate therapeutic method may promise a better outlook, improve the survival rate of patients, and reduce PC risk.

Predictors of survival rate in patients with pancreatic cancer: A multi-center analytical study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the deadliest cancers of the gastrointestinal tract worldwide and a growing global health concern.

AIM

This study was aimed to evaluate the survival rate and prognostic factors of survival in patients with PC.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the records of 556 patients with PC registered in the hospital cancer registration system from September 2007 to September 2020 were evaluated. In this regard, demographic data, tumor characteristics, received treatments, and patients' final status were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox's regression were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

The 5-year survival rate was found to be 4.3%. The median survival time was 12.4 ± 6.6 months. Univariate analysis showed that age, BMI (kg/m2 ), blood transfusions, differentiation, tumor stage, tumor size, number of involved lymph nodes, lymph node ratio (LNR), and type of treatment received were significantly associated with patient survival (p < .05). Multivariate Cox regression indicated that the age ≥60 years [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.49], BMI <18 (kg/m2 ; HR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.13-2.14), poor differentiation (HR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.75-2.49), tumor size >2.5 cm (HR = 4.61, 95% CI = 3.30-6.78), metastasis presence (HR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.49-2.60), more than two involved lymph nodes (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.31-1.77), LNR <0.2 (HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.36-0.77), and adjuvant therapy with surgery and chemotherapy (HR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.28-0.61) are the most important prognostic factors of survival in patients with PC (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer varies based on the characteristics of the tumor and the type of treatment received.

Diabetes Mellitus and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma-Prevalence, Clinicopathological Variables, and Clinical Outcomes

Simple Summary

The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), analyse the association between the occurrence of DM and clinicopathological factors, and detect variables influencing overall survival. Diabetes mellitus is prevalent among patients with pancreatic cancer. In our study, patients with diabetes mellitus receiving palliative chemotherapy had significantly higher median OS than those without. Among variables influencing survival, TNM stage, nodal involvement, tumour site, levels of CEA and CRP were confirmed.

Abstract

Background: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths with increasing incidence and link to the onset of diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of DM among patients with the diagnosis of PDAC, analyse the association between the occurrence of DM and clinicopathological factors, and detect variables influencing overall survival. Methods: a retrospective analysis of medical records was performed. The patients were divided into non-DM (n = 101) and DM (n = 74) groups. Statistical analysis with the usage of appropriate tests was conducted. Results: Patients in the groups of DM and NODM had significantly longer median OS than the non-DM group. Nodal involvement, tumour location, level of CEA, CRP and CRP/lymphocytes ratio were significantly associated with OS among patients with any type of DM. Neutropenia was less frequently observed in the DM group. Conclusions: DM is prevalent among patients with pancreatic cancer. In our study, patients with DM receiving palliative chemotherapy had significantly higher median OS than those without DM. The increased comprehension of the mechanisms of the relationship between DM and pancreatic cancer needs further research, which might provide avenues for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Higher body mass index indicated better overall survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients: a real-world study of 2010 patients

BACKGROUND

The association between body mass index (BMI) and the overall survival (OS) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients remains controversial and unclear, METHOD: A total of 2010 patients from a high-volume center were enrolled in the study. The OS of PDAC patients was evaluated based on restricted cubic spline (RCS), propensity score (PS) and multivariable risk adjustment analyses.

RESULT

BMI was linearly related to the OS (total P = 0.004, nonlinear P = 0.124). BMI was analyzed as categorical data based on X-tile software-defined cutoffs and World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended cutoffs. Adjusted with confounding covariates, higher BMI manifested as a positive prognostic predictor. Furthermore, BMI was proven to be associated with the OS in the PS analysis. (UnderweightXtile vs. NormalXtileP = 0.003, OverweightXtile vs. NormalXtileP = 0.019; UnderweightWHO vs. NormalWHOP < 0.001, OverweightWHO vs. NormalWHOP = 0.024). It was also revealed that patients with higher BMI benefitted more from chemotherapy. (Adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): UnderweightXtile vs. NormalXtile vs. OverweightXtile: 0.565 vs. 0.474 vs. 0.409; UnderweightWHO vs. NormalWHO vs. OverweightWHO: 0.613 vs. 0.464 vs. 0.425).

CONCLUSION

Among PDAC patients, there was a positive association between BMI and the OS, especially in patients treated with chemotherapy.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on morbidity and survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignancy

Backgrounds/Aims

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for morbidity, length of hospital stay, or mortality after surgery, however, its impact on postoperative course and long-term survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is not clear.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of 141 patients with periampullary and pancreatic head adenocarcinoma operated between January 2001 and March 2019. Clinico-pathological records and follow-up data were retrieved and analyzed. Cumulative hazard was computed for comparing the survival between DM and non-DM.

Results

DM was present in 31/141 (21.9%) patients, while 16/31 (51.6%). were new-onset DM (NODM). Tumor size, lymphovascular & perineural invasion, type of surgery, lymph node positivity and R0 resection rate were comparable between diabetic and non-diabetic. There was no significant difference in postoperative pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, infectious complication, hospital stay and mortality between DM and nondiabetics. Patients with DM had worse survival at 3 years (OS: HR, 3.11 [1.43-6.76] p=0.004, DFS: HR, 2.61 [1.23-5.53] p=0.01) and 5 years (OS: HR, 3.32 [1.46-7.53] p=0.004, DFS: HR, 2.87 [1.29-6.41] p=0.009). On multivariate analysis, DM (3 year OS: HR, 2.61 [1.14-5.98] p=0.022, DFS: HR, 2.19; p=0.058) (5 year OS: HR, 2.55; p=0.04, DFS: HR, 2.25; p=0.068) and pylorus resecting surgery were significantly associated with worse survival at 3 and 5 years.

Conclusions

Preoperative DM has no significant effect on postoperative course but has negative impact on 3-year and 5-year OS and DFS after PD for pancreatic and periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Association of Obesity With Survival Outcomes in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, is associated with a significant increase in the risk of many cancers and in overall mortality. However, various studies have suggested that patients with cancer and no obesity (ie, BMI 20-25) have worse outcomes than patients with obesity.

Objective

To assess the association between obesity and outcomes after a diagnosis of cancer.

Data Sources

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched from inception to January 2020.

Study Selection

Studies reporting prognosis of patients with obesity using standard BMI categories and cancer were included. Studies that used nonstandard BMI categories, that were limited to children, or that were limited to patients with hematological malignant neoplasms were excluded. Screening was performed independently by multiple reviewers. Among 1892 retrieved studies, 203 (17%) met inclusion criteria for initial evaluation.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines were reporting guideline was followed. Data were extracted by multiple independent reviewers. Risk of death, cancer-specific mortality, and recurrence were pooled to provide an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% CI . A random-effects model was used for the retrospective nature of studies.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome of the study was overall survival (OS) in patients with cancer, with and without obesity. Secondary end points were cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) or disease-free survival (DFS). The risk of events was reported as HRs with 95% CIs, with an HR greater than 1 associated with a worse outcome among patients with obesity vs those without.

Results

A total of 203 studies with 6 320 365 participants evaluated the association of OS, CSS, and/or PFS or DFS with obesity in patients with cancer. Overall, obesity was associated with a reduced OS (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.09-1.19; P < .001) and CSS (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.12-1.23; P < .001). Patients were also at increased risk of recurrence (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07-1.19; P < .001). Conversely, patients with obesity and lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, or melanoma had better survival outcomes compared with patients without obesity and the same cancer (lung: HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98; P = .02; renal cell: HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.53-0.89; P = .02; melanoma: HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57-0.96; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, obesity was associated with greater mortality overall in patients with cancer. However, patients with obesity and lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma had a lower risk of death than patients with the same cancers without obesity. Weight-reducing strategies may represent effective measures for reducing mortality in these patients.

Improved survival in several cancers with use of H1-antihistamines desloratadine and loratadine

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Improved cancer survival with use of antihistamines desloratadine and loratadine.

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Improved survival seen in tumors that respond to immune checkpoint therapy.

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A – potentially immunological – anti-tumor effect of desloratadine and loratadine.

Background

We have previously shown an association with substantially improved survival in breast cancer and melanoma for desloratadine and loratadine users, and set out to find whether an improved survival can be seen in tumors with and without a known response to immune checkpoint therapy, such as anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1.

Methods

We investigated survival and use of six common H₁-antihistamines (cetirizine, clemastine, desloratadine, ebastine, fexofenadine and loratadine) in a nation-wide cohort of all 429,198 Swedish patients with ten types of immunogenic (gastric, colorectal/anal, pancreatic, lung, breast, prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer, melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma) and six non-immunogenic (liver, uterine, ovarian, brain/CNS, and thyroid cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) tumors diagnosed 2006–2017. Follow-up was until 2019–02–24.

Findings

Desloratadine use was associated with an improved survival for all immunogenic tumors, but not for the non-immunogenic ones. Loratadine use was associated with improved survival for some tumors. Use of the other antihistamines could not be shown to be consistently associated with improved survival to a statistically significant degree.

Interpretation

Our hypothesis is that our findings result from immune checkpoint inhibition, and we believe both desloratadine and loratadine should be tested in randomized clinical trials as treatment of immunogenic tumors, with priority given to trials of desloratadine as treatment of tumors with few therapy options and dismal prognoses, such as pancreatic cancer. If our results can be confirmed in a clinical setting, new, potentially curative, therapies could result for several tumors, including ones with dire prognoses and limited treatment options.

The p.Ser64Leu and p.Pro104Leu missense variants of PALB2 identified in familial pancreatic cancer patients compromise the DNA damage response

PALB2 has been identified as a breast and pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene. Utilizing a targeted sequencing approach, we discovered two novel germline missense PALB2 variants c.191C>T and c.311C>T, encoding p.Ser64Leu and p.Pro104Leu, respectively, in individuals in a pancreatic cancer registry. No missense PALB2 variants from familial pancreatic cancer patients, and few PALB2 variants overall, have been functionally characterized. Given the known role of PALB2, we tested the impact of p.Ser64Leu and p.Pro104Leu variants on DNA damage responses. Neither p.Ser64Leu nor p.Pro104Leu have clear effects on interactions with BRCA1 and KEAP1, which are mediated by adjacent motifs in PALB2. However, both variants are associated with defective recruitment of PALB2, and the RAD51 recombinase downstream, to DNA damage foci. Furthermore, p.Ser64Leu and p.Pro104Leu both largely compromise DNA double-strand break-initiated homologous recombination, and confer increased cellular sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR) and the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor Olaparib. Taken together, our results represent the first demonstration of functionally deleterious PALB2 missense variants associated with familial pancreatic cancer and of deleterious variants in the N-terminus outside of the coiled-coil domain. Furthermore, our results suggest the possibility of personalized treatments, using IR or PARP inhibitor, of pancreatic and other cancers that carry a deleterious PALB2 variant.

Obesity and Pancreatic Cancer: A Matched-Pair Survival Analysis

BACKGROUND

Morbid obesity is a risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes and overall survival in patients with PDAC remains a controversial topic.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pancreatic surgery for PDAC between 1997 and 2018 were included in this study. Matched pairs (1:1) were generated according to age, gender and American Society of Anesthesiologists status. Obesity was defined according to the WHO definition as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m². The primary endpoint was the difference in overall survival between patients with and without obesity.

RESULTS

Out of 553 patients, a total of 76 fully matched pairs were generated. Obese patients had a mean BMI-level of 33 compared to 25 kg/m² in patients without obesity (p = 0.001). The frequency of arterial hypertension (p = 0.002), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.039), and perineural invasion (p = 0.033) were also higher in obese patients. Clinically relevant postoperative complications (p = 0.163) and overall survival rates (p = 0.885) were comparable in both study groups. Grade II and III obesity resulted in an impaired overall survival, although this was not statistically significant. Subgroup survival analyses revealed no significant differences for completion of adjuvant chemotherapy and curative-intent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity did not affect overall survival and postoperative complications in these patients with PDAC. Therefore, pancreatic surgery should not be withheld from obese patients.

Impact of Diabetes and Insulin Use on Prognosis in Patients With Resected Pancreatic Cancer: An Ancillary Analysis of NRG Oncology RTOG 9704

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been proposed to be tumorigenic; however, prior studies of the association between DM and survival are conflicting. The goal of this ancillary analysis of RTOG 9704, a randomized controlled trial of adjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, was to determine the prognostic effects of DM and insulin use on survival.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible patients from RTOG 9704 with available data on DM and insulin use were included. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and variable levels were compared using log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were created to assess the associations among DM, insulin use, and body mass index phenotypes on outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 538 patients enrolled from 1998 to 2002, 238 patients were eligible with analyzable DM and insulin use data. Overall 34% of patients had DM and 66% did not. Of patients with DM, 64% had insulin-dependent DM, and 36% had non-insulin-dependent DM. On univariable analysis, neither DM nor insulin dependence were associated with OS or DFS (P > .05 for all). On multivariable analysis, neither DM, insulin use, nor body mass index were independently associated with OS or DFS. Nonwhite race (hazard ratio [HR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-3.50; P = .0014), nodal involvement (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.24-2.45; P = .0015), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) ≥90 U/mL (HR, 3.61; 95% CI, 2.32-5.63; P < .001) were associated with decreased OS. Nonwhite race (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.05-2.63; P = .029) and CA19-9 ≥90 U/mL (HR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.85-4.40; P < .001) were associated with decreased DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

DM and insulin use were not associated with OS or DFS in patients with pancreatic cancer in this study. Race, nodal involvement, and increased CA19-9 were significant predictors of outcomes. These data might apply to the more modern use of neoadjuvant therapies for potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.

Allergy, asthma, and the risk of breast and prostate cancer: a Mendelian randomization study

PURPOSE

The relationship of allergic diseases, such as asthma, hay fever, and eczema, with cancer is under debate. Observational studies have reported conflicting findings, but such studies are susceptible to confounding and reverse causation. Understanding the potential role of allergy in carcinogenesis may shed new light on the biological mechanisms underpinning intrinsic immunity and cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a Mendelian randomization study, using germline genetic variants as instrumental variables, to determine the causal relevance of allergic disease and on two most common malignancies: breast cancer and prostate cancer. We used the summary statistics from the largest ever genome-wide association studies conducted on allergic disease (ncase = 180,129), asthma (ncase = 14,085), breast (ncase = 122,977), and prostate cancer (ncase = 79,148) and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cancer for allergic disease.

RESULTS

We did not observe any evidence to support a causal association between allergic disease and risk of breast cancer overall [OR 1.00 (95% CI 0.96-1.04), p = 0.95] or by subtype (estrogen receptor (ER)+ [0.99 (0.95-1.04), p = 0.71], ER- [1.05 (0.99-1.10), p = 0.11]). We also did not find any evidence for an association with prostate cancer [1.00 (0.94-1.05), p = 0.93] or advanced subtype [0.97 (0.90-1.05), p = 0.46]. Sensitivity analyses did not reveal directional pleiotropy.

CONCLUSION

Our study does not support a causal effect of allergic disease on the risk of breast or prostate cancer. Future studies may be conducted to focus on understanding the causal role of allergic disease in cancer prognosis or drug responses (e.g., immunotherapy).

Prognostic impact of Charlson's Age-Comorbidity Index and other risk factors in patients with pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have evaluated the impact of risk factors and comorbidity on overall survival (OS) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim was to investigate the prognostic importance of Charlson's age-comorbidity index (CACI) and other risk factors on prognosis in a clinical real-world cohort of PDAC patients.

METHODS

A total of 1,159 patients with PDAC who had received at least one cycle of adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy were included from the Danish BIOPAC study. We analysed OS according to CACI, tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, performance status (PS), BMI and diabetes. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for OS using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

At the end of follow-up, 994 (86%) patients had died. The median OS was 298 days for all patients (range 3-3010) and shortest in patients with stage IV. No association with short OS was seen for CACI > 2, diabetes, alcohol abuse, tobacco smoking, hypertension, and high BMI. Multivariate analysis showed that stage (IV vs. I: HR = 9.05, 95% CI 5.17-15.84), PS (2 vs. 0: HR = 3.67, 2.92-4.61) and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (yes vs. no: HR = 1.31, 1.06-1.61) were independent negative prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that CACI, diabetes, tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, hypertension, and high BMI were not associated with OS in a real-world cohort of patients with PDAC treated with chemotherapy. Only stage and PS were prognostic parameters.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with unfavorable pathologic features, increased postoperative mortality, and worse long-term survival in resected pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

The risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is increased in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly in those with new-onset DM. However, the impact of DM on outcomes following pancreatic surgery is not fully understood. We sought to explore the effects of DM on post-resection outcomes in patients undergoing either upfront resection or following neoadjuvant treatment (NAT).

METHODS

Resections for PDAC between 2007 and 2016 were identified from a prospectively-maintained database. Data on demographics, pathology, and perioperative outcomes were compared between patients with or without DM. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and adjusted for confounders by a Cox-proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

662 patients were identified, of whom 277 (41.8%) had DM. Diabetics were more likely to be male, had higher BMI, and higher ASA-scores. At pathology, DM was associated with larger tumors (30 vs. 26 mm; p = 0.041), higher rates of lymph-node involvement (69% vs. 59%; p = 0.031) and perineural invasion (88% vs. 82%; p = 0.026). Despite having similar rates of complications, diabetics experienced higher 30-day mortality (3.2% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.019). Median overall survival was worse in diabetic patients (18 vs. 34 months; p < 0.001); this effect was more pronounced in patients with NAT (18 vs. 54 months; p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, DM was confirmed as an independent predictor of post-resection survival.

CONCLUSION

DM is a common comorbidity in PDAC and is associated with unfavorable pathology, as well as worse postoperative and oncologic outcomes. The blunted effect on survival is more pronounced in patients who undergo resection following NAT.

The Diverse Involvement of Cigarette Smoking in Pancreatic Cancer Development and Prognosis

Despite extensive research in the pathogenesis, early detection, and therapeutic approaches of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), it remains a devastating and incurable disease. As the global incidence and prevalence of PDAC continue to rise, there is a pressing need to place strong emphasis on its prevention. Although it is widely recognized that cigarette smoking, a potentially modifiable risk factor, has been linked to PDAC development, its contribution to prognosis is still uncertain. Moreover, the mechanistic pathways of PDAC progression secondary to smoking are various and lack a summative narration. Herein, we update and summarize the direct and indirect roles cigarette smoking plays on PDAC development, review literature to conclude the impact cigarette smoking has on prognosis, and postulate a comprehensive mechanism for cigarette smoking-induced PDAC.

Cigarette Smoking and Mortality in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Current evidence on cigarette smoking associated with pancreatic cancer mortality is limited. We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase databases to identify relevant studies published through January 31, 2018. A random-effects model was used to estimate summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 20 studies were retrieved, involving 2,517,623 participants. Of these, more than 15,341 patients with pancreatic cancer died. Compared with never smokers, current (summary HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.34-1.83) and former (summary HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.26) smokers had elevated risk of total mortality in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This effect of cigarette smoking is observed both in the Western regions and the Asia-Pacific regions. This effect of smoking is independent of alcohol use, body mass index, and history of diabetes but is modified by tumor stage and study settings. Dose-response associations between smoking and pancreatic cancer mortality were revealed for smoking intensity, cumulative amount of cigarettes smoked, and duration of smoking. Cigarette smoking was associated with an increase in total mortality for patients with pancreatic cancer. Future studies should further clarify the role of smoking as an effect modifier in treatment trials of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: biological hallmarks, current status, and future perspectives of combined modality treatment approaches

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly devastating disease with poor prognosis and rising incidence. Late detection and a particularly aggressive biology are the major challenges which determine therapeutic failure. In this review, we present the current status and the recent advances in PDAC treatment together with the biological and immunological hallmarks of this cancer entity. On this basis, we discuss new concepts combining distinct treatment modalities in order to improve therapeutic efficacy and clinical outcome - with a specific focus on protocols involving radio(chemo)therapeutic approaches.

Exploring the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and pancreatic cancer by computed tomographic survey

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in an early stage, and has the highest mortality of all types of cancer. Obesity, high body mass index, and increased abdominal girth are established risk factors. Some studies have postulated that there is a correlation between organ steatosis and pancreatic cancer. This study aims to explore whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor and a prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer. The study enrolled 557 patients (143 with and 414 without pancreatic cancer) who were diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2013. We reviewed the abdominal computed tomographic scans of the patients to confirm the diagnosis of NAFLD. Clinical parameters, laboratory data, and personal information were analyzed. NAFLD is an independent risk factor for pancreatic cancer according to adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.24-5.58, p = 0.011). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve reveals that patients without NAFLD have longer survival than patients with NAFLD (p = 0.005, log-rank test). NAFLD is positively correlated with pancreatic cancer, a result suggesting that NAFLD may increase the incidence and risk of pancreatic cancer. Patients with pancreatic cancer and NAFLD have poorer overall survival than patients without NAFLD, perhaps, because dysregulated cytokine status leads to progression of pancreatic cancer. NAFLD may be a prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer.

Do smoking and alcohol behaviours influence GI cancer survival?

Little is known about the role of alcohol and smoking in GI cancer survival compared to GI cancer development. We systematically reviewed the evidence for a role of smoking and alcohol in prognosis among GI cancer patients and inform whether smoking or alcohol cessation interventions or guidelines for GI cancer patients are likely to improve prognosis. A total of 84 relevant studies were identified. Continued smokers, particularly heavy smokers, had worse prognosis than never smokers in most GI cancers. However, more evidence is needed to establish the likely impact of smoking cessation interventions amongst GI cancer patients. Heavy alcohol drinkers had worse prognosis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Light alcohol consumption was not associated with worse prognosis from any GI cancer, though further studies are needed. UK guidelines for the general population recommending under 14 units (∼7 drinks) per week may be sufficient for GI cancer patients, until further evidence is available.

Body mass index does not affect the survival of pancreatic cancer patients

AIM

To evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI) with the overall survival of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of PDAC patients diagnosed in the National Cancer Center of China between January 1999 and December 2014 was performed. These patients were categorized into four BMI groups (< 18.5, 18.5-22.9, 23-27.4 and ≥ 27.5 kg/m²). χ² tests for comparison of the proportions of categorical variables, and Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables were employed. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meyer method. Their HRs of mortality and 95%CIs were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

With a median age of 59.6 years (range: 22.5-84.6 years), in total 1783 PDAC patients were enrolled in this study. Their mean usual BMI was 24.19 ± 3.53 for the whole cohort. More than half of the patients (59.3%) experienced weight loss during the disease onset and progression. Compared with healthy-weight individuals, newly diagnosed patients who were overweight or obese had more severe weight loss during their disease onset and progression (P < 0.001). Individuals who were overweight or obese were associated with positive smoking history (P < 0.001). A significant difference in comorbidity of diabetes (P = 0.044) and coronary artery disease (P < 0.001) was identified between high BMI and normal-weight patients. After a median follow-up of 8 mo, the survival analysis showed no association between BMI and the overall survival (P = 0.90, n = 1783). When we stratified the whole cohort by pancreatic cancer stage, no statistically significant association between BMI and overall survival was found for resectable (P = 0.99, n = 217), unresectable locally advanced (P = 0.90, n = 316) and metastatic patients (P = 0.88, n = 1250), respectively. The results did not change when we used the BMI at diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed no significance of BMI for the overall survival of PDAC patients.

Effects of alcohol drinking and smoking on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma mortality: A retrospective cohort study consisting of 1783 patients

The effects of alcohol drinking and smoking on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) mortality are contradictory. Individuals who were diagnosed as PDAC and hospitalized at the China National Cancer Center between January 1999 and January 2016 were identified and included in the study. Ultimately, 1783 consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients were categorized as never, ex-drinkers/smokers or current drinkers/smokers. Hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Compared with never drinkers, the HRs were 1.25 for ever drinkers, 1.24 for current drinkers, and 1.33 for ex-drinkers (trend P = 0.031). Heavy drinking and smoking period of 30 or more years were positive prognostic factors for PDAC. For different smoking and alcohol drinking status, only subjects who are both current smokers and current drinkers (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.03–2.05) were associated with reduced survival after PDAC compared to those who were never smokers and never drinkers. Patients who are alcohol drinkers and long-term smokers before diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of PDAC mortality. Compared to those who neither smoker nor drink, only patients who both smokers and drinkers were associated with reduced survival from PDAC.

Positive Effect of Higher Adult Body Mass Index on Overall Survival of Digestive System Cancers Except Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

High body mass index (BMI) has been inconsistently associated with overall survival (OS) of digestive system cancers (DSCs). This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether high BMI was associated with DSCs prognosis. 34 studies were accepted, with a total of 23,946 DSC cases. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for OS in BMI categories from individual studies were extracted and pooled by random-effect model. The overall HR of DSCs except pancreatic cancer for OS of adult overweight cases was 0.76 (95% CI = 0.67–0.85). DSC individuals except pancreatic cancer with adult obesity were at decreased risk for OS (HR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.72–0.98). Among DSC patients except pancreatic cancer, the overall HR for the highest versus the lowest BMI category was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.71–0.92). Additionally, comparing the highest and lowest BMI categories, the combined HR of pancreatic cancer was 1.22 (95% CI = 1.01–1.43). Our meta-analysis suggested an increased OS among adult overweight and obese DSC survivors except pancreatic cancer. Overweight and obesity in adulthood may be important prognostic factors that indicate an increased survival from DSC patients except pancreatic cancer.

Analysis on survival and prognostic factors in patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Survival after pancreatic cancer surgery is extremely unfavorable even after curative resection. Prognostic factors have been explored but remain largely undefined. The present study was to identify the role of clinical and laboratory variables in the prognostic significance of resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A total of 96 patients who underwent curative resection for pancreatic cancer were included. Survival was evaluated based on complete follow-up visits and was associated with potential prognostic factors using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model survival analyses. The results showed that prognostic variables significantly reduced survival, including old age, poorly differentiated tumors, elevated tumor markers and positive lymph node metastasis (LNM). Age of older than 60 years (HR=1.83, P=0.04), LNM (HR=2.22, P=0.01), lymph node ratio (0<LNR≤0.2, HR=1.38, P=0.042; LNR>0.2, HR=1.92, P=0.017), initial CA199 (HR=4.80, P=0.004), and CEA level (HR=2.59, P=0.019) were identified as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. It was concluded that LNR may be potent predictor of survival and suggests that surgeons and the pathologists should thoroughly assess lymph nodes prior to surgery.

Obesity and Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer has few known risk factors, providing little in the way of prevention, and is the most rapidly fatal cancer with 7 % survival rate at 5 years. Obesity has surfaced as an important risk factor for pancreatic cancer as epidemiological studies with strong methodological designs have removed important biases and solidified the obesity associations. Moreover, studies indicate that obesity early in adulthood is strongly associated with future risk of pancreatic cancer and that abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor. There is increasing evidence suggesting long-standing diabetes type 2 and insulin resistance are important etiological factors of this disease, providing a strong mechanistic link to obesity. The challenge remains to determine whether intended weight loss in midlife will reduce risk of pancreatic cancer and to elucidate the complex underlying pathways directly involved with risk.

Cigarette Smoking and Pancreatic Cancer Survival

Purpose Cigarette smoking is associated with increased incidence of pancreatic cancer. However, few studies have prospectively evaluated the association of smoking with patient survival. Patients and Methods We analyzed survival by smoking status among 1,037 patients from two large US prospective cohort studies diagnosed from 1986 to 2013. Among 485 patients from four prospective US cohorts, we also evaluated survival by prediagnostic circulating levels of cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine that is proportional to tobacco smoke exposure. On the basis of prediagnosis cotinine levels, we classified patients as nonsmokers (< 3.1 ng/mL), light smokers (3.1-20.9 ng/mL), or heavy smokers (≥ 21.0 ng/mL). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for death by using Cox proportional hazards models, with adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, diabetes status, diagnosis year, and cancer stage. Results The multivariable-adjusted HR for death was 1.37 (95% CI, 1.11 to 1.69) comparing current smokers with never smokers ( P = .003). A statistically significant negative trend in survival was observed for increasing pack-years of smoking ( P_trend = .008), with HR for death of 1.49 (95% CI, 1.05 to 2.10) for > 60 pack-years of smoking versus never smoking. Survival among former smokers was similar to that for never smokers, regardless of time since quitting. Heavy smokers defined by prediagnostic circulating cotinine levels had a multivariable-adjusted HR for death of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.23 to 2.51) compared with nonsmokers. Among patients with circulating cotinine levels measured within 5 years before diagnosis, heavy smokers had a multivariable-adjusted HR for death of 2.47 (95% CI, 1.24 to 4.92) compared with nonsmokers. Conclusion Cigarette smoking was associated with a reduction in survival among patients with pancreatic cancer.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on clinical outcomes of pancreatic cancer after surgical resection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer but its impact on postoperative outcomes and long-term survival after cancer resection remains controversial. A meta-analysis of published studies was conducted to address this issue.

METHODS

An extensive electronic search of four databases was performed for relevant articles. Data were processed for meta-analysis using Review Manager version 5.1.

RESULTS

Seventeen observational studies involving 5407 patients were subjected to the analysis. Overall morbidity or any type of complications and mortality were comparable between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Overall DM has a significant negative impact on survival (risk ratio [RR], 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.45; P = 0.01). Stratification by the type of DM revealed that new-onset DM (<2 years duration, RR, 1.54, 95% CI, 1.24-1.91; P <0.001) but not long-standing DM (≥2 years duration, RR, 1.74, 95% CI, 0.86-3.52; P = 0.12) was associated with reduced survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes mellitus does not affect perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer. However, new-onset DM confers a negative impact on survival of pancreatic cancer in patients undergoing surgical resection.

Effect of Diabetes on Survival after Resection of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. A Prospective, Observational Study

AIM

To investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on disease-free and overall post-resection survival of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

Prospective observational study on patients admitted for pancreatic disease from January 2008 to October 2012. DM was classified as recent-onset (<48 months before PDAC diagnosis), longstanding (≥48 months before PDAC) or new onset (after surgery).

RESULTS

Of 296 patients, 140 had a diagnosis of DM prior to surgery (26 longstanding, 99 recent-onset, 15 with unknown duration). Median follow-up time was 5.4 ± 0.22 years. Patients with recent onset DM had poorer postoperative survival than patients without DM: disease-free survival and overall survival were 1.14±0.13 years and 1.52±0.12 years in recent onset DM, versus 1.3±0.15 years and 1.87±0.15 years in non-diabetic patients (p = 0.013 and p = 0.025, respectively). Longstanding DM and postoperative new onset DM had no impact on prognosis. Compared to cases without DM, patients with recent onset DM were more likely to have residual disease after surgery and to develop liver metastases during follow-up. Multivariate analysis confirmed recent onset DM was independently associated with PDAC relapse (hazard ratio 1.45 [1.06-1.99]).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative recent onset DM has an impact on survival after the resection of PDAC.

High risk factors of pancreatic carcinoma

Over the past decades, cancer has become one of the toughest challenges for health professionals. The epidemiologists are increasingly directing their research efforts on various malignant tumor worldwide. Of note, incidence of cancers is on the rise more quickly in developed countries. Indeed, great endeavors have to be made in the control of the life-threatening disease. As we know it, pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant disease with the worst prognosis. While little is known about the etiology of the PC and measures to prevent the condition, so far, a number of risk factors have been identified. Genetic factors, pre-malignant lesions, predisposing diseases and exogenous factors have been found to be linked to PC. Genetic susceptibility was observed in 10% of PC cases, including inherited PC syndromes and familial PC. However, in the remaining 90%, their PC might be caused by genetic factors in combination with environmental factors. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism of the two kinds of factors, endogenous and exogenous, working together to cause PC remains poorly understood. The fact that most pancreatic neoplasms are diagnosed at an incurable stage of the disease highlights the need to identify risk factors and to understand their contribution to carcinogenesis. This article reviews the high risk factors contributing to the development of PC, to provide information for clinicians and epidemiologists.

Diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes are frequently undiagnosed and underreported in patients referred for pancreatic surgery. A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

Previous reports on the prevalence of diabetes in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis patients are based on inconsistent and equivocal criteria. The objective of this study is to prospectively assess with conclusive methods the preoperative glycaemic status of patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. We hypothesise that most of those patients are unaware of these disturbances in glycaemic status and that the prevalence is underestimated.

METHODS

During the last 2 years, patients referred for pancreatic surgery and without history of diabetes underwent a prospective preoperative screening with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and determination of the glycated haemoglobin level (HbA1c). The American Diabetes Association's criteria for diabetes and pre-diabetes were used. Beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity were calculated using HOMA2 indices. Impact on surgical policy has been scored.

RESULTS

99 patients were screened, 25 had a history of diabetes. The other 74 underwent an OGTT and HbA1c determination. Only 29.7% (22/74) had a normal glucose metabolism, while 8.1% (6/74) had impaired fasting glucose, 21.6% (16/74) had impaired glucose tolerance, 6.7% (5/74) had a combination of both, and 33.8% (25/74) had undiagnosed diabetes. In 15.2% (15/99) of the patients, this preoperative assessment had an impact on surgical policy.

CONCLUSIONS

77.7% of patients referred for pancreatic surgery had some degree of (pre-)diabetes. In 70.3% of patients without a history of diabetes, these disturbances in glucose metabolism are a new finding. Physicians involved in pancreatic surgery should be aware of the frequently undiagnosed (pre-)diabetes and actively check for it. This prevalence is underestimated.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Overall Survival of Pancreatic Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Although obesity has been identified as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, the important question of whether obesity influences the prognosis of pancreatic cancer has not been explicated thoroughly. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and survival outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer.Studies that described the relationship between BMI and overall survival (OS) of pancreatic cancer were searched in PubMed, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane Library Databases from the earliest available date to May 12, 2015. Hazard ratios (HRs) for OS in each BMI category from individual studies were extracted and pooled by a random-effect model. Dose-response meta-analysis was also performed to estimate summary HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for every 5-unit increment. Publication bias was evaluated by Begg funnel plot and Egger linear regression test.Ten relevant studies involving 6801 patients were finally included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that obesity in adulthood significantly shortened OS of pancreatic cancer patients (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.17-1.41), whereas obesity at diagnosis was not associated with any increased risk of death (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.78-1.42). For every 5-kg/m increment in adult BMI, the summary HR was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05-1.18) for death risk of pancreatic cancer. However, no dose-response relationship was found in the BMI at diagnosis. Egger regression test and Begg funnel plot both revealed no obvious risk of publication bias.In conclusion, increased adult BMI is associated with increased risk of death for pancreatic cancer patients, which suggested that obesity in adulthood may be an important prognostic factor that indicates an abbreviated survival from pancreatic cancer. More studies are needed to validate this finding, and the mechanism behind the observation should be evaluated in further studies.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on the survival of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer (PC), but its prognostic value in PC is still unclear. To elucidate this issue, we systematically reviewed the evidence concerning the association between diabetes status and PC.

METHODS

Medline and EMBASE databases were searched to identify the eligible studies. Overall and subgroup analyses were performed to detect the discrepancy of prognosis according to diabetes status. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CI were used to estimate the effect size.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies including 16,181 patients with sample size ranging from 113 to 4,658 were pooled in this meta-analysis. Results showed that patients with DM had worse survival (HR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32). In view of the impact of diabetes duration and tumor stage on the outcomes, we classified the studies into different groups. The results indicated that DM was associated with survival in both long-standing diabetes (HR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.14-1.40) and recent-onset diabetes (HR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.09-1.51). Data regarding localized disease (HR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.00-2.46) and nonlocalized (locally advanced and metastatic) disease (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.16-1.73) verified that the prognostic value was independent of tumor stage.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that patients with DM were associated with worse survival than those without DM. Diabetes may be a predictive factor of survival in patients with PC. Surveillance of diabetes status and antidiabetes medication administration after the diagnosis of PC is of clinical importance.

Premorbid Obesity and Mortality in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Obesity is associated with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, but it is unclear whether it affects mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between premorbid obesity and mortality from pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search through January 2015 and identified studies of the association between premorbid obesity (at least 1 year prior to pancreatic cancer diagnosis) and pancreatic cancer-related mortality. We estimated summary adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), comparing data from obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m(2)) and overweight subjects (BMI, 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)) with those from individuals with a normal BMI (controls) by using random-effects model.

RESULTS

We identified 13 studies (including 3 studies that pooled multiple cohorts); 5 studies included only patients with pancreatic cancer, whereas 8 studies evaluated pancreatic cancer-related mortality in cancer-free individuals at inception. In the meta-analysis, we observed increase in pancreatic cancer-related mortality among overweight (aHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11; I(2) = 0) and obese individuals (aHR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.20-1.42; I(2) = 43%), compared with controls; the association remained when we analyzed data from only subjects with pancreatic cancer. Each 1 kg/m(2) increase in BMI was associated with 10% increase in mortality (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.15) with minimal heterogeneity (I(2) = 0). In the subgroup analysis, obesity was associated with increased mortality in Western populations (11 studies; aHR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.22-1.42) but not in Asia-Pacific populations (2 studies; aHR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.76-1.27).

CONCLUSIONS

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we associated increasing level of obesity with increased mortality in patients with pancreatic cancer in Western but not Asia-Pacific populations. Strategies to reduce obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities might be developed to treat patients with pancreatic cancer.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Concurrent diabetes has been linked with an increased risk of death in many cancers, but findings in pancreatic cancer have been inconsistent. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of diabetes on survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Of 4, 463 original articles, 41 were included in the review; 29 studies with 33 risk estimates were included in the meta-analysis. In the overall comparison of patients with pancreatic cancer and diabetes with their nondiabetic counterparts, the former had significantly higher all-cause mortality (pooled HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.22). Subgroup analyses showed that diabetes was associated with poor survival in patients with resectable disease (HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.15-1.63) but not in those with unresectable disease (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.89-1.29). The HR (95% CI) was 1.52 (1.20-1.93) for patients with new-onset diabetes (≤ 2 years of diabetes duration) and 1.22 (0.83-1.80) for those with longstanding diabetes (> 2 years). Diabetes was associated with higher mortality overall in patients with pancreatic cancer. The effect of diabetes on overall survival was associated with the stages of tumor and the duration of diabetes.

Role of survivor bias in pancreatic cancer case-control studies

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of survivor bias on pancreatic cancer case-control studies.

METHODS

The authors constructed five case-loss scenarios based on the Iowa Women's Health Study cohort to reflect how case recruitment in population-based studies varies by case survival time. Risk factors for disease incidence included smoking, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, diabetes, and alcohol consumption. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by conditional logistic regression and quantitatively compared by the interactions between risk factors and 3-month survival time. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier estimates for overall survival were compared within the subset cohort of pancreatic cancer cases.

RESULTS

BMI and waist circumference showed a significant inverse relationship with survival time. Decreasing trends in ORs for BMI and waist circumference were observed with increasing case survival time. The interaction between BMI and survival time based on a cutpoint of 3 months was significant (P < .01) as was the interaction between waist circumference and survival time (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggested that case losses could result in survivor bias causing underestimated odds ratios for both BMI and waist circumference, whereas other risk factors were not significantly affected by case losses.

Impact of Smoking on Pancreatic Cancer Patients Receiving Current Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Smoking may affect pharmacokinetics of chemotherapeutic agents and hemodynamics of the smokers, thereby influencing adverse events and efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). The aim of this study was to clarify how smoking totally affected patients with PC receiving current chemotherapy.

METHODS

We evaluated the impact of smoking status on the performance of chemotherapy and survival in 262 patients with PC including 158 resectable and 104 unresectable PC.

RESULTS

There were more male and younger patients in current smokers than in nonsmokers. In unresectable PC, current smokers had more metastatic tumors than locally advanced tumors compared with nonsmokers. In current smokers receiving chemotherapy, the baseline white blood cell count, neutrophil count, and hemoglobin concentration were significantly higher in current smokers than in nonsmokers. Furthermore, grades 3 to 4 neutropenia was observed more often in nonsmokers than smokers. On the other hand, the performance and efficacy of the planned adjuvant chemotherapy were similar between smokers and nonsmokers. More importantly, there was no significant difference in overall prognosis between smokers and nonsmokers receiving chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking status has no significant impact on the efficacy of current chemotherapy for both resectable and unresectable PC.

Impact of body mass index on complications following pancreatectomy: Ten-year experience at National Cancer Center in China

AIM: To examine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes following pancreatic resection in the Chinese population.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data was conducted at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China National Cancer Center. Individuals who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2004 and December 2013 were identified and included in the study. Persons were classified as having a normal weight if their BMI was < 24 kg/m² and overweight/obese if their BMI was ≥ 24 kg/m² as defined by the International Life Sciences Institute Focal Point in China. A χ² test (for categorical variables) or a t test (for continuous variables) was used to examine the differences in patients’ characteristics between normal weight and overweight/obese groups. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of postoperative complications, operative difficulty, length of hospital stay, and cost with BMI, adjusting for age, sex, and type of surgery procedures.

RESULTS: A total of 362 consecutive patients with data available for BMI calculation underwent pancreatic resection for benign or malignant disease from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013. Of the 362 patients, 156 were overweight or obese and 206 were of normal weight. One or more postoperative complications occurred in 35.4% of the patients following pancreatic resection. Among patients who were overweight or obese, 42.9% experienced one or more complications, significantly higher than normal weight (29.6%) individuals (P = 0.0086). Compared with individuals who had normal weight, those with a BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m² had higher delayed gastric emptying (19.9% vs 5.8%, P < 0.0001) and bile leak (7.7% vs 1.9%, P = 0.0068). There were no significant differences seen in pancreatic fistula, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, reoperation, readmission, or other complications. BMI did not show a significant association with intraoperative blood loss, operative time, length of hospital stay, or cost.

CONCLUSION: Higher BMI increases the risk for postoperative complications after pancreatectomy in the Chinese population. The findings require replication in future studies with larger sample sizes.

Survival among patients with pancreatic cancer and long-standing or recent-onset diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

Long-standing diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, and recent-onset diabetes in the several years before diagnosis is a consequence of subclinical pancreatic malignancy. However, the impact of diabetes on survival is largely unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed survival by diabetes status among 1,006 patients diagnosed from 1986 to 2010 from two prospective cohort studies: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). We validated our results among 386 patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2013 from a clinic-based case series at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for death using Cox proportional hazards models, with adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, diagnosis year, and cancer stage.

RESULTS

In NHS and HPFS, HR for death was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.69) for patients with long-term diabetes (> 4 years) compared with those without diabetes (P < .001), with median survival times of 3 months for long-term diabetics and 5 months for nondiabetics. Adjustment for a propensity score to reduce confounding by comorbidities did not change the results. Among DFCI patient cases, HR for death was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.20) for those with long-term diabetes compared with those without diabetes (P = .02), with median survival times of 9 months for long-term diabetics and 13 months for nondiabetics. Compared with nondiabetics, survival times were shorter for long-term diabetics who used oral hypoglycemics or insulin. We observed no statistically significant association of recent-onset diabetes (< 4 years) with survival.

CONCLUSION

Long-standing diabetes was associated with statistically significantly decreased survival among patients with pancreatic cancer enrolled onto three longitudinal studies.

The inhibition of renin-angiotensin system in advanced pancreatic cancer: an exploratory analysis in 349 patients

PURPOSE

The role of local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) as a target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer has been increasingly reported, but the addition of candesartan, one of angiotensin system inhibitors (ASIs), to gemcitabine in our prospective trial failed to demonstrate activity against pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to explore subgroups that would benefit from the inhibition of RAS by the use of ASIs.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving gemcitabine-based chemotherapy were retrospectively studied. Hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated by a Cox proportional hazards model. Interactions between the use of ASIs and each subgroup were tested.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2013, 349 patients received gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer; 232 were metastatic, 210 received gemcitabine monotherapy, 108 took ASIs, 166 were never smokers and 188 were diabetic. The median PFS and OS were 4.9 and 11.2 months, respectively. When the effects of the use of ASIs were evaluated by a Cox proportional hazard model, there were two subgroups with P interaction <0.10 both in PFS and OS: never smokers and gemcitabine monotherapy. HRs for PFS and OS by the inhibition of RAS were 0.71 (P = 0.021) and 0.68 (P = 0.014) in never smokers and 0.70 (P = 0.027) and 0.77 (P = 0.124) in patients receiving gemcitabine monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of RAS in advanced pancreatic cancer might improve clinical outcomes in cases without a history of smoking or in cases receiving gemcitabine monotherapy.

The impact of body mass index dynamics on survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy

CONTEXT

High body mass index (BMI) is linked to an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer (PC). However, in patients with advanced PC (APC), especially those receiving palliative chemotherapy, the impact of BMI on survival has not been investigated fully.

OBJECTIVES

To assess changes in BMI during the course of APC and their impact on patient survival, specifically for those receiving palliative chemotherapy.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with APC, all of whom were treated with palliative chemotherapy, were enrolled during 2003-2010. Clinical characteristics and prognoses were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 425 patients participated (median age, 60.1 years). At diagnosis of APC, patients' BMI distribution of patients was as follow: <18.5 (45, 10.6%); 18.5-19.9 (67, 15.8%); 20.0-22.4 (156, 36.7%); 22.5-24.9 (107, 25.2%); 25.0-29.9 (49, 11.5%); and ≥ 30.0 (1, 0.2%). Median overall survival (OS) was 8.1 months (95% confidence interval 7.2, 9.1). Precancer BMI and baseline BMI (at diagnosis) had no impact on OS. Weight loss at diagnosis (precancer weight minus weight at diagnosis) and weight loss during first-line chemotherapy (both stipulated as BMI change ≥ 1) were associated with shortened OS (hazard ratio, 1.300; P = 0.012 and hazard ratio, 1.367; P = 0.010, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In patients with APC undergoing palliative chemotherapy, decreases in BMI at APC diagnosis and during chemotherapy are more hazardous for OS than precancer BMI or baseline BMI (at diagnosis) as absolute values. Further studies are needed to validate this finding and investigate strategies to maintain BMI during chemotherapy in this setting.

Diabetes and pancreatic cancer survival: a prospective cohort-based study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer but its association with survival from pancreatic cancer is poorly understood. Our objective was to investigate the association of diabetes with survival among pancreatic cancer patients in a prospective cohort-based study where diabetes history was ascertained before pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

We evaluated survival by baseline (1993-2001) self-reported diabetes history (n=62) among 504 participants that developed exocrine pancreatic cancer within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, race, smoking, and tumour stage (local, locally advanced, and metastatic).

RESULTS

The multivariable-adjusted HR for mortality comparing participants with diabetes to those without was 1.52 (95% CI=1.14-2.04, P-value <0.01). After excluding those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within 3 years of study enrolment, HR for mortality among those with diabetes was 1.45 (95% CI=1.06-2.00, P-value=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Using prospectively collected data, our findings indicate that diabetes is associated with worse survival among patients with pancreatic cancer.

Smoking and body mass index and survival in pancreatic cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to provide further information on the role of personal characteristics and lifestyle factors, including obesity, diabetes, and tobacco smoking, on survival from pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

We obtained follow-up data of pancreatic cancer patients enrolled in 2 Italian case-control studies. Information on characteristics and habits up to the time of diagnosis was collected by trained interviewers. Vital status was ascertained through population registers and record linkage with health system databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Follow-up information was retrieved for 648 cancer patients. Compared with subjects with body mass index of less than 25 kg/m, the HRs were 1.14 (95% CI, 0.94-1.39) for overweight (ie, 25-29.9 kg/m) and 1.32 (95% CI, 0.98-1.79) for obese (ie, ≥30 kg/m) patients (trend P = 0.046). The HRs were 1.37 (95% CI, 1.14-1.65) for ever, 1.30 (95% CI, 1.03-1.65) for ex-smokers, and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.16-1.73) for current versus never smokers. Increasing amount and duration of smoking were associated with reduced survival after pancreatic cancer. No association emerged with diabetes, alcohol consumption, and diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking and overweight before diagnosis may play a role in the prognosis of pancreatic cancer, besides its etiology.

Impact of preoperative diabetes on long-term survival after curative resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is coupled to the risk and symptomatic onset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The important question whether DM influences the prognosis of resected PDAC has not been systematically evaluated in the literature. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the impact of preoperative DM on survival after curative surgery.

METHODS

The databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies reporting on the impact of preoperative DM on survival after PDAC resection. Hazard ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were extracted. The meta-analysis was calculated using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

The data search identified 4,365 abstracts that were screened for relevant articles. Ten retrospective studies with a cumulative sample size of 4,471 patients were included in the qualitative review. The mean prevalence of preoperative DM was 26.7 % (1,067 patients), and all types of pancreatic resections were considered. The meta-analysis included 8 studies and demonstrated that preoperative DM is associated with a worse overall survival after curative resection of PDAC (hazard ratio 1.32, 95 % CI 1.46-1.60, P = 0.004). Only 2 studies reported separate data for new-onset and long-standing DM.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis evaluating long-term survival after PDAC resection in normoglycemic and diabetic patients, demonstrating a significantly worse outcome in the latter group. The mechanism behind this observation and the question whether different antidiabetic medications or early control of DM can improve survival in PDAC should be evaluated in further studies.

Prediagnostic body mass index and pancreatic cancer survival

PURPOSE

Although obesity is associated with increased incidence of pancreatic cancer, studies have not prospectively evaluated prediagnostic body mass index (BMI) and survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed survival by prediagnostic BMI assessed in 1986 among 902 patients from two large prospective cohorts diagnosed from 1988 to 2010. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for death using Cox proportional hazards models, with adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, diagnosis year, and stage. We evaluated the temporal association of BMI with survival by grouping reported BMI by 2-year lag-time intervals before diagnosis.

RESULTS

The multivariable-adjusted HR for death was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.11 to 2.09) comparing patients with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) with those with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (P trend = .001), which was similar after adjustment for stage. The association of BMI with survival was stronger with longer lag times between reported BMI and cancer diagnosis. Among patients with BMI collected 18 to 20 years before diagnosis, HR for death was 2.31 (95% CI, 1.48 to 3.61; P trend < .001), comparing obese with healthy-weight patients. No statistically significant differences were seen by cohort, smoking status, or stage, although the association was stronger among never-smokers (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.57; P trend = .002) than ever-smokers (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.86 to 2.15; P trend = .63), comparing BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) with BMI < 25 kg/m(2). Higher prediagnostic BMI was associated with more advanced stage at diagnosis, with 72.5% of obese patients presenting with metastatic disease versus 59.4% of healthy-weight patients (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Higher prediagnostic BMI was associated with statistically significantly decreased survival among patients with pancreatic cancer from two large prospective cohorts.

Is diabetes mellitus a risk factor for pancreatic cancer?

The relationship between diabetes mellitus and the risk of pancreatic cancer has been a matter of study for a long period of time. The importance of this topic is due to two main causes: the possible use of recent onset diabetes as a marker of the disease and, in particular, as a specific marker of pancreatic cancer, and the selection of a population at risk for pancreatic cancer. Thus, we decided to make an in-depth study of this topic; thus, we carried out an extensive literature search in order to re-assess the current knowledge on this topic. Even if diabetes is found a decade before the appearance of pancreatic cancer as reported in meta-analytic studies, we cannot select those patients already having non detectable pancreatic cancer, at least with the imaging and biological techniques available today. We believe that more studies are necessary in order to definitively identify diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer taking into consideration that approximately 10 years are needed to diagnose symptomatic pancreatic cancer. At present, the answer to the as to whether diabetes and pancreatic cancer comes first similar to the adage of the chicken and the egg is that diabetes is the egg.

Obesity and survival in population-based patients with pancreatic cancer in the San Francisco Bay Area

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been consistently associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality. However, studies of obesity and overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer are notably lacking, especially in population-based studies.

METHODS

Active and passive follow-up were used to determine vital status and survival for 510 pancreatic cancer patients diagnosed from 1995 to 1999 in a large population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay Area. Survival rates were computed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated in multivariable Cox proportional hazards models as measures of the association between pre-diagnostic obesity and pancreatic cancer survival.

RESULTS

An elevated hazard ratio of 1.3 (95 % CI, 0.91-1.81) was observed for obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30] compared with normal range BMI (<25) patients. Associations between BMI and overall survival did not statistically significantly vary by known prognostic and risk factors (all p-interaction ≥0.18), yet elevated HRs consistently were observed for obese compared with normal BMI patients [localized disease at diagnosis (HR, 3.1), surgical resection (HR, 1.6), ever smokers (HR, 1.6), diabetics (HR, 3.3)]. Poor survival was observed among men, older patients, more recent and current smokers, whereas improved survival was observed for Asian/Pacific Islanders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results in general provide limited support for an association between pre-diagnostic obesity and decreased survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Patterns of reduced survival associated with obesity in some patient subgroups could be due to chance and require assessment in larger pooled studies.

Epidemiology: allergy history, IgE, and cancer

Numerous epidemiological studies have investigated potential associations between allergy history and cancer risk with strong inverse associations reported in studies of pancreatic cancer, glioma, and childhood leukemia. Recently, there has been a rapid expansion of the epidemiological literature both of studies evaluating self-reported allergy history in relation to cancer risk and of studies evaluating biological indicators of allergy history and immune function including levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) E. However, there are several potential methodological limitations associated with prior studies, and further research is required to clarify associations observed. This paper summarizes the recent epidemiological literature examining associations between allergy history and cancer risk. From 2008, a total of 55 epidemiological studies were identified that examined some aspect of the association between allergy and cancer. Although the majority of studies examined self-reported allergy history in relation to cancer risk, there were also studies examining allergy diagnoses or discharges as captured in existing administrative databases, levels of IgE, polymorphisms of allergy, inflammatory- or allergy-related cytokine genes, and concentrations of immune regulatory proteins. The most frequently studied cancer sites included brain and lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers. Potential methodological sources of bias are discussed as well as recommendations for future work.