Neoadjuvant multimodal treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting distant metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a comparative analysis of different lymph node staging systems based on the SEER database

The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive value of different lymph node staging systems and to develop an optimal prognostic nomogram for predicting distant metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Our study involved 6364 patients selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and 126 patients from China. Independent risk factors for distant metastasis were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a model-based comparison of different lymph node staging systems was conducted. Furthermore, we developed a nomogram for predicting distant metastasis using the optimal performance lymph node staging system. The lymph node ratio (LNR), log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), age, primary site, grade, tumor size, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th Edition T stage, and radiotherapy recipient status were significant predictors of distant metastasis in PDAC patients. The model with the LODDS was a better fit than the model with the LNR. We developed a nomogram model based on LODDS and six clinical parameters. The area under the curve (AUC) and concordance index (C-index) of 0.753 indicated that this model satisfied the discrimination criteria. Kaplan-Meier curves indicate a significant difference in OS among patients with different metastasis risks. LODDS seems to have a superior ability to predict distant metastasis in PDAC patients compared with the AJCC 8th Edition N stage, PLN and LNR staging systems. Moreover, we developed a nomogram model for predicting distant metastasis. Clinicians can use the model to detect patients at high risk of distant metastasis and to make further clinical decisions.

Reevaluation of regional lymph nodes in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic body and tail

Introduction

In patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the pancreatic body (Pb) and tail (Pt), the appropriate area for lymphadenectomy is controversial. This study aimed to reevaluate the extent of lymph node (LN) metastasis in Pb- and Pt-PDAC, and to define the optimal area of LN dissection.

Patients and methods

This single-center retrospective study evaluated patients with Pb- and Pt-PDAC who underwent distal pancreatectomy with extended lymphadenectomy between 2006 and 2020. LN metastasis in >3.0% of patients were defined as new regional LN.

Results

The study cohort included 135 patients with Pb-PDAC and 42 patients with Pt-PDAC. In patients with Pb-PDAC, LNs around the splenic artery (SPA) had the highest metastasis-positive rate (54.1%). LNs along the left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, celiac axis (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and splenic hilus were defined as new regional LNs. In patients with Pt-PDAC, LNs at the splenic hilum had the highest metastasis-positive rate (38.1%). The station and LN around the SPA were defined as new regional LNs in those with Pt-PDAC. Metastasis beyond the newly defined regional LNs was not associated with survival. The incidence of LN metastasis was lower in patients who received preoperative chemotherapy than in those who underwent upfront surgery in both Pb- and Pt-PDAC.

Conclusion

Although it needs to be verified in future multicenter studies, LN of both the CA and SMA systems should be dissected in patients with Pb-PDAC. However, only those around the SPA and splenic hilus should be dissected routinely in those with Pt-PDAC.

Risk factors and predictive nomograms for early death of patients with pancreatic cancer liver metastasis: A large cohort study based on the SEER database and Chinese population

Background

The liver is the most common organ for distant metastasis of pancreatic cancer, and patients with pancreatic cancer liver metastases (PCLM) often die in a short period of time. As such, the establishment of an effective nomogram to predict the probability of early death (survival time ≤3 months) in PCLM patients is of considerable significance.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with PCLM in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015 were included for model construction and internal validation. A data set was obtained from the Chinese population for external validation. Risk factors that contributed to all-cause and cancer-specific early death were determined by means of univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The accuracy of the nomogram was verified by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the true consistency of the model was assessed by calibration curves. The clinical applicability of the model was evaluated by means of decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

A total of 12,955 patients were included in the present study, of whom 7,219 (55.7%) experienced early death and 6,973 (53.8%) patients died of PCLM. Through multivariable logistic regression analysis, 11 risk factors associated with all-cause early death and 12 risk factors associated with cancer-specific early death were identified. The area under the curves (AUCs) for all-cause and cancer-specific early death were 0.806 (95% CI: 0.785- 0.827) and 0.808 (95% CI: 0.787- 0.829), respectively. Internal validation showed that the C-indexes of all-cause and cancer-specific early death after bootstrapping (5,000 re-samplings) were 0.805 (95% CI: 0.784-0.826) and 0.807 (95% CI: 0.786-0.828), respectively. As revealed by the calibration curves, the constructed nomograms exhibited good consistency. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated the nomograms had significant clinical applicability.

Conclusion

In the present study, reliable nomograms were developed for predicting the early death probability in patients with PCLM. Such tools can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and develop individualized treatment plans as early as possible.

Role of Short-Term Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Potentially Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Although the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapies for pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is reported in recent years, ideal neoadjuvant treatment for patients with potentially resectable (R) PDAC remains uncertain. We conducted the retrospective study about the effect of short-term neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (sNACRT) on R PDAC. The 94 patients received curative intent pancreatectomy for R PDAC between 2000 and 2016. Among them, 31 patients received sNACRT (S1 60 mg/m2/day for 2w and RTx 30 Gy/2w). Clinical outcomes of the 31 patients with sNACRT were analyzed in comparison with 63 patients without sNACRT. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 93, 71, and 62% in the patients with sNACRT and 78, 35, and 26% in the patients without sNACRT (P = .0007), respectively. Lymph node metastasis was found in 41.9% of patients with sNACRT and 56.5% of patients without sNACRT (P = .09). Microscopic tumor infiltration at resection margins (R1) was found in no patient with sNACRT and 5 patients (7.9%) without sNACRT (P=.042). Retropancreatic infiltration (P = .04), lymphatic invasion (P = .002), plexus invasion (P = .042), and main pancreatic duct extension (P = .004) were significantly fewer in patients with sNACRT than the patients without sNACRT. The recurrences were found in 64% of patients with sNACRT (39% distant, 16% local, and 10% mix pattern) and 68% in patients without sNACRT (28% distant, 21% local, and 19% mix pattern). The recurrence patterns were significantly different (P = .008) between the groups. Short-term neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy decreased R1 resection rate and improved OS. Short-term neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may provide ideal local control during the short term and improve clinical outcome of R PDAC.

Efficacy of active hexose correlated compound on survival of patients with resectable/borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: a study protocol for a double-blind randomized phase II study

Background

The prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains very poor. One possible reason for the short survival of patients with this disease is malnutrition, which can be present at the initial diagnosis, and continue after pancreatectomy. Then, it is important to improve nutritional status and to decrease adverse events during neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, and is considered a potent biological response modifier in the treatment of cancer. To evaluate the survival impact of AHCC on the patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we plan to perform this trial.

Methods

This is a prospective multicenter phase II trial in patients with resectable/borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to investigate the efficacy of AHCC regarding survival. Patients will begin taking AHCC or placebo on the first day of neoadjuvant therapy. AHCC or placebo will be continued until 2 years after surgery. The primary endpoint will be 2-year disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints are the completion rate, dose intensity, and adverse event profile of preoperative chemotherapy; response rate to preoperative chemotherapy; rate of decrease in tumor marker (carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen) concentrations during preoperative chemotherapy; entry rate, completion rate, dose intensity, and adverse event profile of adjuvant chemotherapy; safety of the protocol therapy (adverse effect of AHCC); 2-year overall survival rate; and nutrition score before and after preoperative chemotherapy, and before and after adjuvant chemotherapy. We will enroll 230 patients, and the study involves eight leading Japanese institutions that are all high-volume centers in pancreatic surgery.

Discussion

AHCC is expected to function as a supportive food in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, to reduce the proportion of severe adverse events related to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and to increase the completion proportion of multimodal treatments, resulting in improved survival.

Trial registration

The trial protocol has been registered in the protocol registration system at the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (Trial ID: jRCTs051200029). At the time of the submission of this paper (October 2020), the protocol version is 2.0. The completion date is estimated to be November 2024.

The survival impact of palliative radiotherapy on synchronous metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: metastatic site can serve for radiotherapy-decision

Background: The metastatic site seems to represent a malignancy with a different biological characteristic and is an important prognostic factor in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Palliative radiotherapy is a therapeutic option, and usually used for pain management in the treatment of mPDAC. The real-world effect of radiotherapy on the survival outcomes of mPDAC patients might do exist and is worth exploring.

Methods: Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) was extracted to identify mPDAC diagnosed in the periods of 2010-2016. The statistical methods included Pearson's chi-square test, Log-rank test, Cox regression model and propensity score matching (PSM).

Results: Radiotherapy was able to improve the overall survival of PDAC with liver metastasis (p<0.001), but not for PDAC patients with lung (p=0.130), bone (p=0.451) and brain metastasis (p=0.226) before PSM. Radiotherapy can only a prognostic factor for PDAC liver metastasis (p=0.001) in the cox regression analysis. The survival curves provided consistent results with cox regression analysis (PDAC with liver metastasis: p=0.023, PDAC with lung metastasis: p=0.528, PDAC with bone metastasis: p=0.210, PDAC with brain metastasis: p=0.106) after PSM. We continue to divided PDAC liver patients into PDAC-liver-metastasis with and without lung, bone, and/or brain (LBB) metastasis. Finally, radiotherapy can be used as a feasible treatment to prolong the overall survival of patients with PDAC liver metastasis without LBB metastasis.

Conclusions: Radiotherapy can be used as a feasible treatment to prolong the overall survival of patients with PDAC liver metastasis without LBB metastasis.

Evolving pancreatic cancer treatment: From diagnosis to healthcare management

The prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is still the worst among solid tumors. In this review, a panel of experts addressed the main unanswered questions about the clinical management of this disease, with the aim of providing practical decision support for physicians. On the basis of the evidence available from the literature, the main topics concerning pancreatic cancer are discussed: the diagnosis, as the need for a pathological characterization and the role for germ-line and somatic molecular profiling; the therapeutic management of resectable disease, as the role of upfront surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the post-operative restaging and the optimal timing foradjuvant chemotherapy, the management of the borderline resectable and locally advanced disease; the metastatic disease and the role of surgery for the management of patients with isolated metastasis and the use of biomarkers of metastatic potential; the role of supportive care and the healthcare management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Definition of Local Recurrence Site in Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter Study (DOLORES-1)

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer remains a disease with a dismal outlook for patients, with high relapse rates after surgery and adjuvant treatments. Thanks to the high conformality achievable with advanced radiotherapy techniques, a more robust definition of clinical target volume (CTV) margins is mandatory. Moreover, a precise CTV definition may affect local control, minimizing radiation-related toxicity and allowing dose escalation. Contrary to two recent studies, RTOG contouring guidelines are not based on a pattern of failure analysis. We provided a local failure risk map in resected pancreatic cancer, validating the results of previous studies. Moreover, according to a new probabilistic approach, we provided new CTV contouring guidelines for the postoperative radiotherapy of pancreatic cancer, modeling targets’ margins on a combination of our validated local failure map (30% of local failures) and RTOG guidelines (70% of local failures).

Abstract

The study aimed to generate a local failure (LF) risk map in resected pancreatic cancer (PC) and validate the results of previous studies, proposing new guidelines for PC postoperative radiotherapy clinical target volume (CTV) delineation. Follow-up computer tomography (CT) of resected PC was retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists identifying LFs and plotting them on a representative patient CT scan. The percentages of LF points randomly extracted based on CTV following the RTOG guidelines and based on the LF database were 70% and 30%, respectively. According to the Kernel density estimation, an LF 3D distribution map was generated and compared with the results of previous studies using a Dice index. Among the 64 resected patients, 59.4% underwent adjuvant treatment. LFs closer to the root of the celiac axis (CA) or the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were reported in 32.8% and 67.2% cases, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) distances of LF points to CA and SMA were 21.5 ± 17.9 mm and 21.6 ± 12.1 mm, respectively. The Dice values comparing our iso-level risk maps corresponding to 80% and 90% of the LF probabilistic density and the CTVs-80 and CTVs-90 of previous publications were 0.45–0.53 and 0.58–0.60, respectively. According to the Kernel density approach, a validated LF map was proposed, modeling a new adjuvant CTV based on a PC pattern of failure.

Nutritional impact of active hexose-correlated compound for patients with resectable or borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy

Active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC) is a standardized extract from cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, used as a potent biological response modifier in cancer treatment. We evaluated the nutritional effect of AHCC, given during neoadjuvant therapy, to patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Thirty patients with resectable or borderline-resectable PDAC received neoadjuvant therapy with gemcitabine plus S-1. We compared, retrospectively, the outcomes of 15 patients who received AHCC combined with neoadjuvant therapy with those of 15 patients who did not receive AHCC combined with neoadjuvant therapy. The median changes of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) were significantly better in the AHCC group. The relative dose intensity of neoadjuvant therapy was also significantly higher in the AHCC group. Thus, AHCC may improve the nutritional status during neoadjuvant therapy of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. To validate these results and examine the long-term impact of AHCC, a prospective phase II study for PDAC is ongoing.

Predicting Adverse Pathologic Features and Clinical Outcomes of Resectable Pancreas Cancer With Preoperative CA 19-9

Background

We evaluated preoperative CA 19-9 levels in patients with resected pancreatic cancer to analyze whether they were predictive of clinical outcomes and could help select patients for additional therapy. We hypothesized that elevated CA 19-9 would be associated with worse pathologic findings and oncologic outcomes.

Methods

This study assessed 509 patients with non-metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent resection at our institution from 1995-2011 and had preoperative CA 19-9 recorded. No patients received neoadjuvant therapy. CA 19-9 level was analyzed as a continuous and a dichotomized (> vs. ≤ 55 U/mL) variable using logistic and Cox models.

Results

Median follow-up was 7.8 years, and the median age was 66 years (33-90). 64% of patients had elevated preoperative CA 19-9 (median: 141 U/mL), that did not correlate with bilirubin level or tumor size. Most patients had ≥ T3 tumors (72%) and positive lymph nodes (62%). The rate of incomplete (R1 or R2) resection was 19%. Increasing preoperative CA 19-9 was associated with extra-pancreatic extension (p=0.0005), lymphovascular space invasion (p=0.0072), incomplete resection [HR (95% CI) 2.0 (1.2-3.5)], and lower OS [HR = 1.6 (1.3-2.0)]. Each doubling in preoperative CA 19-9 value was associated with an 8.3% increased risk of death [HR = 1.08 (1.02-1.15)] and a 10.0% increased risk of distant recurrence [HR = 1.10 (1.02-1.19)]. Patients classified as non-secretors had comparable outcomes to patients with normal CA 19-9.

Conclusions

Elevated preoperative CA 19-9 level was associated with adverse pathologic features, incomplete resection, and inferior clinical outcomes. Neither tumor size nor bilirubin confound an elevated CA 19-9 level. Preoperative CA 19-9 level may help select patients for additional therapy.

Nomogram Predicts Risk and Prognostic Factors for Bone Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND

The overall survival (OS) of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients with bone metastasis (BM) is extremely low, and it is pretty hard to treat bone metastasis. However, there are currently no effective nomograms to predict the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer with bone metastasis (PCBM). Therefore, it is of great significance to establish effective predictive models to guide clinical practice.

METHODS

We screened patients from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2016. The independent risk factors of PCBM were identified from univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine independent prognostic factors affecting the prognosis of PCBM. In addition, two nomograms were constructed to predict the risk and prognosis of PCBM. We used the area under the curve (AUC), C-index and calibration curve to determine the predictive accuracy and discriminability of nomograms. The decision curve analysis (DCA) and Kaplan-Meier(K-M) survival curves were employed to further confirm the clinical effectiveness of the nomogram.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that risk factors of PCBM included age, primary site, histological subtype, N stage, radiotherapy, surgery, brain metastasis, lung metastasis, and liver metastasis. Using Cox regression analyses, we found that independent prognostic factors of PCBM were age, race, grade, histological subtype, surgery, chemotherapy, and lung metastasis. We utilized nomograms to visually express data analysis results. The C-index of training cohort was 0.795 (95%CI: 0.758-0.832), whereas that of internal validation cohort was 0.800 (95%CI: 0.739-0.862), and the external validation cohort was 0.787 (95%CI: 0.746-0.828). Based on AUC of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA), we concluded that the risk and prognosis model of PCBM exhibits excellent performance.

CONCLUSION

Nomogram is sufficiently accurate to predict the risk and prognostic factors of PCBM, allowing for individualized clinical decisions for future clinical work.

Basics and Frontiers on Pancreatic Cancer for Radiation Oncology: Target Delineation, SBRT, SIB technique, MRgRT, Particle Therapy, Immunotherapy and Clinical Guidelines

Pancreatic cancer represents a modern oncological urgency. Its management is aimed to both distal and local disease control. Resectability is the cornerstone of treatment aim. It influences the clinical presentation’s definitions as up-front resectable, borderline resectable and locally advanced (unresectable). The main treatment categories are neoadjuvant (preoperative), definitive and adjuvant (postoperative). This review will focus on (i) the current indications by the available national and international guidelines; (ii) the current standard indications for target volume delineation in radiotherapy (RT); (iii) the emerging modern technologies (including particle therapy and Magnetic Resonance [MR]-guided-RT); (iv) stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), as the most promising technical delivery application of RT in this framework; (v) a particularly promising dose delivery technique called simultaneous integrated boost (SIB); and (vi) a multimodal integration opportunity: the combination of RT with immunotherapy.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-Up of Exocrine Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Evidence Evaluation and Recommendations by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM)

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women (7%) and the sixth in men (5%) in Italy, with a life expectancy of around 5% at 5 years. From 2010, the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) developed national guidelines for several cancers. In this report, we report a summary of clinical recommendations of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of PDAC, which may guide physicians in their current practice. A panel of AIOM experts in upper gastrointestinal cancer malignancies discussed the available scientific evidence supporting the clinical recommendations.

The Main Bottleneck for Non-Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Past Decades: A Population-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND Despite recent advancements in surgical techniques, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the 5-year survival rate of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains an unsatisfactory ~8%. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were extracted to identify patients with non-metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosed in the periods 1988-1996 and 2010-2014 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The statistical analyses were performed with the log-rank test, Pearson's chi-square test, propensity score matching, and Cox regression model. RESULTS The hazard ratio (HR) of surgery was reduced from 0.454 to 0.302 in Cox regression modeling, and there was no overlapping about the 95% confidence intervals (CI) of surgery between the 2 periods. The HR values of radiotherapy, which were new prognostic factor for resectable PDAC in 2010-2014, were reduced in both the resectable and unresectable groups. The upgraded chemotherapy regimen reduced the HR values from 0.738 to 0.689 in all PADC patients, and from 0.656 to 0.588 in unresectable PDAC. The log-rank test results showed that advances in surgery significantly improved the median survival from 13 months to 32 months. Radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic advancements extended median survival by 12 months and 11 months, respectively, in resectable PDAC. The median survivals were extended by 3 months for both of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in unresectable PDAC. CONCLUSIONS The development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been slow, especially for unresectable PDAC. Although advances in surgery contributed significantly to improved survival for resectable PDAC, lack of early diagnostic tools, which lead to low resection rates, remain a barrier for all PDAC patients.

Oncobiosis and Microbial Metabolite Signaling in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers in both men and women, with a median five-year survival of around 5%. Therefore, pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents an unmet medical need. Neoplastic diseases, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma, often are associated with microbiome dysbiosis, termed oncobiosis. In pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the oral, duodenal, ductal, and fecal microbiome become dysbiotic. Furthermore, the pancreas frequently becomes colonized (by Helicobacter pylori and Malassezia, among others). The oncobiomes from long- and short-term survivors of pancreatic adenocarcinoma are different and transplantation of the microbiome from long-term survivors into animal models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma prolongs survival. The oncobiome in pancreatic adenocarcinoma modulates the inflammatory processes that drive carcinogenesis. In this review, we point out that bacterial metabolites (short chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, polyamines, indole-derivatives, etc.) also have a role in the microbiome-driven pathogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Finally, we show that bacterial metabolism and the bacterial metabolome is largely dysregulated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The pathogenic role of additional metabolites and metabolic pathways will be identified in the near future, widening the scope of this therapeutically and diagnostically exploitable pathogenic pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Systematic Analysis of Accuracy in Predicting Complete Oncological Resection in Pancreatic Cancer Patients-Proposal of a New Simplified Borderline Resectability Definition

Background: Borderline resectability in pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is currently debated. Methods: Patients undergoing pancreatic resections for PDAC were identified from a prospectively maintained database. As new borderline criteria, the presence of any superior mesenterico-portal vein alteration (SMPV) and perivascular stranding of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was evaluated in preoperative imaging. The accuracy of established radiological borderline criteria as compared to the new borderline criteria in predicting R status (sensitivity/negative predictive value) and overall survival was assessed. (3) Results: 118 patients undergoing pancreatic resections for PDAC from 2013 to 2018 were identified. Forty-three (36.4%) had radiological perivascular SMA stranding and 55 (46.6%) had SMPV alterations. Interrater reliability was 90% for SMA stranding and 87% for SMPV alterations. The new borderline definition including SMPV alterations and perivascular SMA stranding was the best predictor of conventional R status (p = 0.040, sensitivity 53%, negative predictive value 81%) and Leeds/Wittekind circumferential margin status (p = 0.050, sensitivity 73%, negative predictive value 79%) as compared to established borderline resectability definition criteria. Perivascular SMA stranding qualified as an independent negative prognostic parameter (HR 3.066, 95% CI 1.078-5.716, p = 0.036). Conclusion: The radiological evaluation of any SMPV alteration and perivascular SMA stranding predicts R status and overall survival in PDAC patients, and may serve to identify potential candidates for neoadjuvant therapy.

Neoadjuvant Therapy is Essential for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Awareness of the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy is increasing, but its use as an initial therapeutic option for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial, especially for those patients without high-risk prognostic features. Even for patients with high-risk features who are candidates to receive neoadjuvant therapy, no standard regimen exists.

METHODS

In this review, we examined available data on the neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, including prospective studies, retrospective studies, and ongoing clinical trials, by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The characteristics and results of screened studies were described.

RESULTS

Retrospective and prospective studies with reported results and ongoing randomized studies were included. For patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant therapy provides benefits such as increased survival, decreased risk of comorbidities and mortality, and improved cost-effectiveness due to an increased completion rate of multimodal treatment. Highly active regimens such as FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel are considered acceptable therapeutic regimens. Additionally, platinum-containing regimens other than FOLFIRINOX are acceptable for selected patients. Other therapies, such as chemoradiation treatment, immuno-oncology agents, and targeted therapies are being explored and the results are highly anticipated.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer. Some regimens are currently acceptable, but need more evidence from well-designed clinical trials or should be used after being carefully examined by a multidisciplinary team.

Complete Radiologic Response of Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma to Microwave Ablation Combined with Second-Line Palliative Chemotherapy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a bleak prognosis, especially for the majority of patients diagnosed with metastatic disease. The primary option for palliative treatment is chemotherapy, and responses beyond first-line treatment are rare and typically short. Here, we report a case of a 63-year-old woman with PDAC in the head of the pancreas who was initially successfully treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine. However, disease recurrence with liver and para-aortic lymph node metastases was detected only two months after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. First-line palliative chemotherapy with gemcitabine-nab/paclitaxel was commenced. The results were discouraging, with disease progression (liver and lung metastases) detected at the first evaluation; the progression-free survival was just two months (64 days). Surprisingly, the response to second-line palliative chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil-oxaliplatin was excellent; in combination with the ablation of a liver metastasis, this treatment regimen resulted in a complete radiological response and an 11-month treatment-free interval with a sustained good performance status.

Long noncoding RNA ITGB2-AS1 promotes growth and metastasis through miR-4319/RAF1 axis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been considered as potentially critical regulators in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we prospectively investigate the effect and mechanism of lncRNA integrin subunit beta 2-anti-sense RNA 1 (ITGB2-AS1) on regulation of PDAC progression. The expression of ITGB2-AS1 and its target were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays were used to investigate the influence of ITGB2-AS1 on cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration, and invasion, respectively. The interaction between ITGB2-AS1 and its target was determined via luciferase activity assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. The subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model was established and employed to detect the tumorigenic function of ITGB2-AS1, which was evaluated by western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results showed that ITGB2-AS1 was elevated in both PDAC tumor tissues and cell lines, predicting a poor prognosis in PDAC patients. Knocking down of ITGB2-AS1 suppressed PDAC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration but induced cell apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, ITGB2-AS1 could target and inhibit the expression of miR-4319 and miR-4319-targeted and -suppressed serine/threonine kinase RAF1. ITGB2-AS1 promoted PDAC progression via inhibition of miR-4319. Interference of ITGB2-AS1 could suppress in vivo tumorigenic ability of PDAC via downregulation of RAF1. In conclusion, ITGB2-AS1 promoted PDAC progression via sponging miR-4319 to upregulate RAF1, suggesting the potential therapeutic target ability of ITGB2-AS1 in PDAC.

Postoperative Outcomes and Functional Recovery After Preoperative Combination Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

Introduction: Previous studies show encouraging oncologic outcomes for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in the setting of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, recent literature reported an increased clinical burden in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) following NACT. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the impact of NACT on postoperative outcomes and recovery after PD.

Methods: A retrospective propensity score-matched study was performed including all patients who underwent PD for PDAC in a single center between 2015 and 2018. Patients treated with NACT for resectable, borderline resectable or locally advanced PDAC were matched based on nearest neighbor propensity scores in a 1:1 ratio to patients who underwent upfront resection. Propensity scores were calculated using 7 perioperative variables, including gender, age, BMI, ASA score, Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score, fistula risk score (FRS), vascular resection. Primary outcome was the number and severity of complications at 90-days after surgery measured by the comprehensive complication index (CCI). Data are reported as median (IQR) or number of patients (%).

Results: Of 283 resected patients, 95 (34%) were treated with NACT. Before matching, NACT patients were younger, had less comorbidities (Charlson-Deyo score 0 vs. 1, p = 0.04), similar FRS [2 (0–3) for both groups], and more vascular resections performed [n = 28 (30%) vs. n = 26 (14%), p < 0.01]. After propensity-score matching, preoperative and intraoperative characteristics were comparable. Postoperatively, CCI was similar between groups [8.7 (0–29.6) for both groups, p = 0.59]. NACT patients had a non-statistically significant increase in superficial incisional surgical site infections [n = 12 (13%) vs. 6 (6%), p = 0.14], while no difference was found for overall infectious complications and organ-space SSI. The occurrence of clinically-relevant pancreatic fistula was similar between groups [10 (11%) vs. 13 (14%), p = 0.51]. No difference was found between groups for length of hospital stay [8 (7–15) vs. 8 (7–14) days, p = 0.62], and functional recovery outcomes.

Conclusion: After propensity score adjustment for perioperative risk factors, NACT did not worsen postoperative outcomes and functional recovery following PD for PDAC compared to upfront resection.

Systematic Review of Irreversible Electroporation Role in Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Ablative techniques provide in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) symptomatic relief, survival benefit and potential downsizing. Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) represents potentially an ideal solution as no thermal tissue damage occurs. The purpose of this review is to present an overview on safety, feasibility, oncological results, survival and quality of life improvement obtained by IRE.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, regarding the use of IRE on PC in humans for studies published in English up to March 2019.

RESULTS

15 original studies embodying 691 patients with unresectable LAPC who underwent IRE were included. As emerged, IRE works better on tumour sizes between 3-4 cm. Oncological results are promising: median OS from diagnosis or treatment up to 27 months. Two groups investigated borderline resectable tumours treated with IRE before resection with margin attenuation, whereas IRE has proved to be effective in pain control.

CONCLUSIONS

Electroporation is bringing new hopes in LAPC management. The first aim of IRE is to offer a palliative treatment. Further efforts are needed for patient selection, as well as the use of IRE for 'margin accentuation' during surgical resection. Even if promising, IRE needs to be validated in large, randomized, prospective series.

Bone metastasis as primary presentation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A case report and literature review

PDAC bone metastases represent a clinical challenge characterized by multifaceted biological entity.

Preoperative chemotherapy and carbon ions therapy for treatment of resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a prospective, phase II, multicentre, single-arm study

Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a high-mortality neoplasm with a documented 5-years-overall survival around 5%. In the last decades, a real breakthrough in the treatment of the disease has not been achieved. Here we propose a prospective, phase II, multicentre, single-arm study aiming to assess the efficacy and the feasibility of a therapeutic protocol combining chemotherapy, carbon ion therapy and surgery for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Method

The purpose of this trial (PIOPPO Protocol) is to assess the efficacy and the feasibility of 3 cycles of FOLFIRINOX neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by a short-course of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. Primary outcome of this study is the assessment of local progression free survival (L-PFS). The calculation of sample size is based on the analysis of the primary endpoint “progression free survival” according to Fleming’s Procedure.

Discussion

Very preliminary results provide initial evidence of the feasibility of the combined chemotherapy and CIRT in the neoadjuvant setting for resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Completion of the accrual and long term results are awaited to see if this combination of treatment is advisable and will provide the expected benefits.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03822936 registered on January 2019.

The ERBB receptor inhibitor dacomitinib suppresses proliferation and invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells

PURPOSE

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common malignancy of the pancreas, is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Local progression, early tumor dissemination and low efficacy of current treatments are the major reasons for its high mortality rate. The ERBB family is over-expressed in PDAC and plays essential roles in its tumorigenesis; however, single-targeted ERBB inhibitors have shown limited activity in this disease. Here, we examined the anti-tumor activity of dacomitinib, a pan-ERBB receptor inhibitor, on PDAC cells.

METHODS

Anti-proliferative effects of dacomitinib were determined using a cell proliferation assay and crystal violet staining. Annexin V/PI staining, radiation therapy and cell migration and invasion assays were carried out to examine the effects of dacomitinib on apoptosis, radio-sensitivity and cell motility, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were applied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor activity of dacomitinib.

RESULTS

We found that dacomitinib diminished PDAC cell proliferation via inhibition of FOXM1 and its targets Aurora kinase B and cyclin B1. Moreover, we found that dacomitinib induced apoptosis and potentiated radio-sensitivity via inhibition of the anti-apoptotic proteins survivin and MCL1. Treatment with dacomitinib attenuated cell migration and invasion through inhibition of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers ZEB1, Snail and N-cadherin. In contrast, we found that the anti-tumor activity of single-targeted ERBB agents including cetuximab (anti-EGFR mAb), trastuzumab (anti-HER2 mAb), H3.105.5 (anti-HER3 mAb) and erlotinib (EGFR small molecule inhibitor) were marginal.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that dacomitinib-mediated blockade of the ERBB receptors yields advantages over single-targeted ERBB inhibition and provide a rationale for further investigation of the therapeutic potential of dacomitinib in the treatment of ERBB-driven PDAC.

Induction Therapy in Localized Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) with localized stage includes resectable (RPC), borderline resectable (BRPC), or locally advanced unresectable (LAPC). Standard of care for RPC is adjuvant chemotherapy. There are no prospective randomized trials for best treatment of BRPC and LAPC. We evaluate the impact of induction chemotherapy on localized PDAC.

METHODS

Charts of PDAC patients treated at Emory University between 2009 and 2016 were reviewed. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

A total of 409 localized PDACs were identified. Resectability was prospectively determined at a multidisciplinary tumor conference. Median age was 67 years (range, 30-92 years), 49% were male, 66% were white, 171 had RPC, 131 had BRPC, and 107 had LAPC. Median OSs for RPC, BRPC, and LAPC were 19.5, 16.1, and 12.7 months, respectively. Type of chemotherapy and age were predictors of OS. Induction chemotherapy was used in 106 with BRPC (81%) and 74 with RPC (56.5%); patients with BRPC who received combination chemotherapy and resection had a median OS of 31.5 compared with 19.5 months in patients with RPC (P = 0.0049). Patients with LAPC had a median OS of 12.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with BRPC who undergo resection after induction treatment, the OS was significantly better than in patients with RPC. Neoadjuvant treatment should be considered for all localized PDACs.

Immunological mutational signature in adenosquamous cancer of pancreas: an exploratory study of potentially therapeutic targets

OBJECTIVES

Adenosquamous cancer of pancreas (ASCP) is a rare variant of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is characterized by poor prognosis and lacks of literature data supporting the choice of systemic therapies. The role of immunotherapy for this malignancy is still unknown. In this study, we evaluated any differences between immune-related genes of PDAC and its adenosquamous variant with the aim to characterize these histothistotypes and eventually identify potential biomarkers useful for an immune-therapy approach in ASCP.

METHODS

We compared the mutational status of a customized gene panel, including 41 genes involved in immunity checkpoint, inflammation and control of leukocytes, B and T cells proliferation of PDAC and ASCP. Moreover, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1).

RESULTS

We observed a status of 'hypermutation' of genes included in our panel in ASCP (22/41 mutated genes). Furtheremore, PD-L1 was found to be expressed in about 15% of the squamous component of ASCP tissue.

CONCLUSION

Due to genetic characteristics and to PD-L1 expression in ASCP compared to PDAC tissue, we can conclude that ASCP presents a potential sensitivity to immunological therapy.

UCP2 inhibition induces ROS/Akt/mTOR axis: Role of GAPDH nuclear translocation in genipin/everolimus anticancer synergism

Several studies indicate that mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) plays a pivotal role in cancer development by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by mitochondrial metabolism and by sustaining chemoresistance to a plethora of anticancer drugs. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of UCP2 triggers Akt/mTOR pathway in a ROS-dependent mechanism in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. This event reduces the antiproliferative outcome of UCP2 inhibition by genipin, creating the conditions for the synergistic counteraction of cancer cell growth with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. Inhibition of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell growth and induction of apoptosis by genipin and everolimus treatment are functionally related to nuclear translocation of the cytosolic glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The synthetic compound (S)-benzyl-2-amino-2-(S)-3-bromo-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl-acetate (AXP3009), which binds GAPDH at its redox-sensitive Cys152, restores cell viability affected by the combined treatment with genipin and everolimus, suggesting a role for ROS production in the nuclear translocation of GAPDH. Caspase-mediated apoptosis by genipin and everolimus is further potentiated by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine revealing a protective role for Beclin1-mediated autophagy induced by the treatment. Mice xenograft of pancreatic adenocarcinoma further confirmed the antiproliferative outcome of drug combination without toxic effects for animals. Tumor masses from mice injected with UCP2 and mTOR inhibitors revealed a strong reduction in tumor volume and number of mitosis associated with a marked GAPDH nuclear positivity. Altogether, these results reveal novel mechanisms through which UCP2 promotes cancer cell proliferation and support the combined inhibition of UCP2 and of Akt/mTOR pathway as a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Clinical effects of chemoradiotherapy in pursuit of optimal treatment of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

The treatment of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer remains extremely challenging, particularly as the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains unclear.

METHODS

We studied 93 patients (8.0%) with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer without distant metastases from among a total group of 1168 patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer from March 2005 to November 2015 at the Kochi Health Sciences Center, Kochi, Japan. We therefore evaluated the clinical efficacy of CRT in patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

Of the 93 patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer, 35 patients (37.6%) were subsequently classified as having resectable disease following CRT. The median overall survival of patients who received CRT alone for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer was 8.0 months, and all died within 3 years. On the other hand, the overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates in patients who were reclassified as having resectable tumour after CRT were 71.3%, 39.2% and 23.5%, respectively. Our pathological assessments after surgical resection suggested that CRT might be associated with a significant reduction in the risk of lymph node metastases in patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggested that CRT is clinically effective in improving survival, particularly in association with the resultant possibility of curative resection. Advances in knowledge: The best treatment strategy for patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer is the subject of considerable debate, and CRT is only recommended if cancer has only grown around the pancreas without any distant metastases.

High toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 expression is associated with better prognosis in surgically treated pancreatic cancer patients

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. Inflammatory response and tumor environment are thought to play a major role in its pathogenesis. Knowledge on TLR expression and impact on patient survival in pancreatic cancer is limited. The study's aim was to clarify the role of different TLRs in pancreatic cancer. TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 expression was investigated in 65 surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma specimens by immunohistochemistry. The association between TLR expression, clinical parameters, and local inflammatory response to the tumor was assessed using chi-square test. Relation between patient survival and TLR expression was calculated with multivariable Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, and tumor stage. We found TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 to be expressed in pancreatic cancer. There was no association between TLR expression and tumor stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, or tumor necrosis. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, high cytoplasmic TLR9 expression was associated with longer patient survival, and multivariate analysis identified low TLR9 expression as an independent risk factor for cancer-specific death (HR 3.090, 95% CI 1.673-5.706). The results suggest that high TLR9 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma indicates improved prognosis. The prognostic effect of TLR9 might be associated with bacterial exposure, but this needs further evidence.

Multimodal treatment of resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

After a timing preoperative staging, treatment of resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) includes surgery and adjuvant therapies, the former representing the initial therapeutic option and the latter aiming to reduce the incidence of both distant metastases (chemotherapy) and locoregional failures (chemoradiotherapy). Herein, we provide a critical overview on the role of multimodal treatment in PDAC and on new opportunities related to current more active poli-chemotherapy regimens, targeted therapies, and the more recent immunotherapy approaches. Moreover, an analysis of pathological markers and clinical features able to help clinicians in the selection of the best therapeutic strategy will be discussed. Lastly, the role of neoadjuvant treatment of initially resectable disease will be considered mostly in patients whose malignancy shows morphological but not clinical or biological criteria of resectability. Depending on the results of these investigational studies, today a multidisciplinary approach can offer the best address therapy for these patients.

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: More than an anatomical concept

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) accounts for about 10-15% of newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer, and its management requires a skilled multidisciplinary team. The main definition of BRPC refers to resectability, but also a high risk of positive surgical margins and recurrence. This raises questions about the value of surgery and suggests an opportunity to utilize preoperative treatment in this subset of patients. Besides technical borderline resectable disease which is defined on anatomical and radiological criteria, there is also a biological borderline resectable disease which is defined on clinical and biological prognostic factors. Technical borderline resectable disease requires tumor shrinkage with aggressive therapy including modern drug combinations +/- radiotherapy to achieve radical surgery. Biological BRPC needs always an early systemic treatment in order to select the best candidates for subsequent radical surgery. It is important to distinguish between these different clinical scenarios, both in clinical practice and for clinical trials design.

Potential predictive role of chemotherapy-induced changes of soluble CD40 ligand in untreated advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma lacks predictive biomarkers. CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. CD40-sCD40L interaction is considered to contribute to the promotion of tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of serum sCD40L as a predictor in metastatic pancreatic cancer. We evaluated 27 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients treated with FOLFIRINOX (21 patients) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel combination (six patients). The sCD40L level was measured in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, at first evaluation (all patients), and at time to progression (18 patients). The radiological response was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, Version 1.1. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre-post treatment sCD40L levels with respect to clinical response, while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the correlation between sCD40L and CA19.9 pre- and post-treatment. The Kruskal-Wallis test was also conducted for further comparisons. We observed a statistically significant reduction in the sCD40L level after 3 months of treatment in patients with partial response (11,718.05±7,097.13 pg/mL vs 4,689.42±5,409.96 pg/mL; P<0.01). Conversely, in patients with progressive disease, the biomarker statistically increased in the same time (9,351.51±7,356.91 pg/mL vs 22,282.92±11,629.35 pg/mL; P<0.01). This trend of sCD40L was confirmed in 18 patients at time to progression after the first evaluation. No differences were recorded within the stable disease group. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the sCD40L and CA19.9 pre-post treatment variation percentage (Pearson's correlation coefficient =0.52; P<0.05). Our data suggest a possible predictive role of sCD40L in pancreatic cancer patients, similar to CA19.9.