Identifying optimal candidates for tumor resection among borderline and locally advanced pancreatic cancer: A population-based predictive model

Surgery for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Following Induction Chemotherapy: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

The use of surgery in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) following induction chemotherapy is increasing. However, most series do not report on the total cohort of patients undergoing surgical exploration; therefore, this single-center study investigates outcomes among all consecutive patients with LAPC who underwent surgical exploration.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis including all consecutive patients with LAPC (Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group criteria) who underwent surgical exploration with curative intent (January 2014-June 2023) after induction therapy. Primary outcomes were resection rate and overall survival (OS) from the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Overall, 127 patients underwent surgical exploration for LAPC, whereby 100 patients (78.7%) underwent resection and 27 patients (21.3%) underwent a non-therapeutic laparotomy due to the extent of vascular involvement (n = 11, 8.7%) or occult metastases (n = 16, 12.6%). The overall in-hospital/30-day mortality rate was 0.8% and major morbidity was 31.3% (in patients after resection: 1.0% and 33.3%, respectively). The overall 90-day mortality rate was 5.5%, which included 3.1% mortality due to disease progression. Resection was associated with longer median OS {29 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 26-43) vs. 17 months (95% CI 11-26); p < 0.001} compared with patients undergoing non-therapeutic laparotomy, with corresponding 5-year OS rates of 28.4% and 7.7%. In Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, only pancreatic body/tail tumors independently predicted OS (hazard ratio 1.788 [95% CI 1.042-3.068]).

CONCLUSION

This single-center series found a resection rate of 78.7% in patients with LAPC selected for surgical exploration, with a low risk of mortality and morbidity in all explored patients and a 5-year OS rate after resection of 28.4%.

Preoperative chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical decision-making in patients with borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Surgical resection combined with systemic chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with localized pancreatic cancer. Upfront surgery is considered suboptimal in cases with extensive vascular involvement, which can be classified as either borderline resectable pancreatic cancer or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In these patients, FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy is currently used as preoperative chemotherapy and is eventually combined with radiotherapy. Thus, more patients might reach 5-year overall survival. Patient selection for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and subsequent surgery is based on anatomical, biological and conditional parameters. Current guidelines and clinical practices vary considerably regarding preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy, response evaluation, and indications for surgery. In this Review, we provide an overview of the clinical evidence regarding disease staging, preoperative therapy, response evaluation and surgery in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In addition, a clinical work-up is proposed based on the available evidence and guidelines. We identify knowledge gaps and outline a proposed research agenda.

Currently Debated Topics on Surgical Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Narrative Review on Surgical Treatment of Borderline Resectable, Locally Advanced, and Synchronous or Metachronous Oligometastatic Tumor

BACKGROUND

Previously considered inoperable patients (borderline resectable, locally advanced, synchronous oligometastatic or metachronous pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC)) are starting to become resectable thanks to advances in chemo/radiotherapy and the reduction in operative mortality.

METHODS

This narrative review presents a chosen literature selection, giving a picture of the current state of treatment of these patients.

RESULTS

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is generally recognized as the treatment of choice before surgery. However, despite the increased efficacy, the best pathological response is still limited to 10.9-27.9% of patients. There are still limited data on the selection of possible NAT responders and how to diagnose non-responders early. Multidetector computed tomography has high sensitivity and low specificity in evaluating resectability after NAT, limiting the resection rate of resectable patients. Ca 19-9 and Positron emission tomography are giving promising results. The prediction of early recurrence after a radical resection of synchronous or metachronous metastatic PDAC, thus identifying patients with poor prognosis and saving them from a resection of little benefit, is still ongoing, although some promising data are available.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, high-level evidence demonstrating the benefit of the surgical treatment of such patients is still lacking and should not be performed outside of high-volume centers with interdisciplinary teams of surgeons and oncologists.

Prognostic factors in conversion surgery following nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine and subsequent chemoradiotherapy for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer: Results of a dual-center study

Background

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), only radical surgery improves long-term survival. We focused on surgical outcome after induction gemcitabine along with nab-paclitaxel (GnP) and subsequent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with S-1 administration for unresectable locally advanced (UR-LA) PDAC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 144 patients with UR-LA PDAC between 2014 and 2020. The first-line regimen of induction chemotherapy was GnP for 125 of the 144 patients. Of the 125 patients who received GnP, 41 who underwent radical resection after additional preoperative CRT were enrolled. We evaluated the prognostic factors for this treatment strategy.

Results

The median length of preoperative GnP was 8.8 months, and 30 (73%) patients had normalized CA19-9 levels. R0 resection was achieved in 36 (88%) patients. Postoperative major complications of ≥Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa developed in 16 (39%) patients. With a median follow-up of 35.2 months, 14 (34%) patients developed distant metastasis postoperatively. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, prognostic analysis of the 41 cases revealed the 3-y overall survival rate (OS) was 77.4% and the 5-y OS was 58.6%. In univariate analysis, length of preoperative GnP (≥8 months), CA19-9 normalization, and good nutritional status at operation (prognostic nutritional index ≥41.7) were significantly associated with favorable prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed CA19-9 normalization (hazard ratio [HR] 0.23; P = .032) and prognostic nutritional index ≥41.7 (HR 0.05; P = .021) were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

For surgical outcome after induction GnP and subsequent CRT for UR-LA PDAC, CA19-9 normalization and maintenance of good nutritional status during treatment until surgery were important for prolonged prognosis.