Combined ablation-chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis: a propensity score matching study

Using Patient-Specific 3D Modeling and Simulations to Optimize Microwave Ablation Therapy for Liver Cancer

Microwave ablation (MWA) of liver tumors presents challenges like under- and over-ablation, potentially leading to inadequate tumor destruction and damage to healthy tissue. This study aims to develop personalized three-dimensional (3D) models to simulate MWA for liver tumors, incorporating patient-specific characteristics. The primary objective is to validate the predicted ablation zones compared to clinical outcomes, offering insights into MWA before therapy to facilitate accurate treatment planning. Contrast-enhanced CT images from three patients were used to create 3D models. The simulations used coupled electromagnetic wave propagation and bioheat transfer to estimate the temperature distribution, predicting tumor destruction and ablation margins. The findings indicate that prolonged ablation does not significantly improve tumor destruction once an adequate margin is achieved, although it increases tissue damage. There was a substantial overlap between the clinical ablation zones and the predicted ablation zones. For patient 1, the Dice score was 0.73, indicating high accuracy, with a sensitivity of 0.72 and a specificity of 0.76. For patient 2, the Dice score was 0.86, with a sensitivity of 0.79 and a specificity of 0.96. For patient 3, the Dice score was 0.8, with a sensitivity of 0.85 and a specificity of 0.74. Patient-specific 3D models demonstrate potential in accurately predicting ablation zones and optimizing MWA treatment strategies.

Exploring the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis

OBJECTIVES

Drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has shown promise as a treatment modality for primary liver cancer and colorectal cancer liver metastasis. However, its role in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis (PCLM) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of DEB-TACE in PCLM patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study included 10 PCLM patients who underwent DEB-TACE using CalliSpheres® microspheres as the chemoembolization material. Treatment response, survival outcomes, adverse events, and liver function indexes were comprehensively assessed.

RESULTS

Among the patients, complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease rates were 0.0%, 40.0%, 30.0%, and 30.0%, respectively. The objective response rate was 40.0%, and the disease-control rate was 70.0%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.0 months (95% CI: 0.0-26.7), with a 1-year PFS rate of 48.0%. The median overall survival (OS) was 18.0 months (95% CI: 6.0-30.0), with a 1-year OS rate of 80.0%. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in any of the liver function indexes, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, etc., between pre- and posttreatment evaluations. Adverse events included pain, grade 1-2 vomiting, fever, and transient liver dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

DEB-TACE demonstrates a promising treatment response, favorable survival profile, and satisfactory safety in PCLM patients.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study adds to the current research by providing novel evidence on the efficacy, safety, and favorable survival outcomes of DEB-TACE in treating PCLM, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic option in this specific population.

Spatiotemporal modeling of nano-delivered chemotherapeutics for synergistic microwave ablation cancer therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of current microwave ablation (MWA) therapies is limited. Administration of thermosensitive liposomes (TSLs) which release drugs in response to heat has presented a significant potential for enhancing the efficacy of thermal ablation treatment, and the benefits of targeted drug delivery. However, a complete knowledge of the mechanobiological processes underlying the drug release process, especially the intravascular drug release mechanism and its distribution in response to MWA needs to be improved. Multiscale computational-based modeling frameworks, integrating different biophysical phenomena, have recently emerged as promising tools to decipher the mechanobiological events in combo therapies. The present study aims to develop a novel multiscale computational model of TSLs delivery following MWA implantation.

METHODS

Due to the complex interplay between the heating procedure and the drug concentration maps, a computational model is developed to determine the intravascular release of doxorubicin from TSL, its transvascular transport into the interstitium, transport in the interstitium, and cell uptake. Computational models can estimate the interplays among liposome and drug properties, tumor perfusion, and heating regimen to examine the impact of essential parameters and to optimize a targeted drug delivery platform.

RESULTS

Results indicated that the synergy of TSLs with MWA allows more localized drug delivery with lower side effects. The drug release rate and tumor permeability play crucial roles in the efficacy of TSLs during MWA treatment. The computational model predicted an unencapsulated drug lime around the ablated zone, which can destroy more cancer cells compared to MWA alone by 40%. Administration of TSLs with a high release rate capacity can improve the percentage of killed cancer cells by 24%. Since the heating duration in MWA is less than 15 min, the presented combination therapy showed better performance for highly permeable tumors.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of the proposed computational framework to address complex and realistic scenarios in cancer treatment, which can serve as the future research foundation, including advancements in nanomedicine and optimizing the pair of TSL and MWA for both preclinical and clinical studies. The present model could be as a valuable tool for patient-specific calibration of essential parameters.

A Liver-First Approach Using Ablation for Oligometastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Report of a Successful Case

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, often accompanied by liver metastases as a common manifestation. While palliative chemotherapy remains the mainstay treatment for liver metastatic PC, local treatment approaches have gained attention, especially for patients with oligometastasis who exhibit a positive response to chemotherapy. This case report illustrates the successful application of a liver-first strategy in a 79-year-old male diagnosed with liver oligometastatic PC, originating in the pancreatic tail. The strategy encompassed percutaneous microwave ablation for liver metastases, followed by FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, folic acid, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy, and subsequent primary tumor resection. The patient has remained disease-free for over a year post-surgery. This multidisciplinary approach may hold promise for selected patients with liver oligometastatic PC, although further research and case studies are needed for comprehensive evaluation.

A novel nomogram and risk classification system based on inflammatory and immune indicators for predicting prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastases

BACKGROUND

The study determined to construct a novel predictive nomogram to access the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastases (PCLM).

METHODS

Medical records included clinical and laboratory variables were collected. The patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohort. First, in the training cohort, the optimal cutoff value of SII, PNI, NLR, PLR were obtained. Then the survival analysis evaluated the effects of above indices on OS. Next, univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent factors of OS. Moreover, a nomogram was constructed based on LASSO cox analysis. Additionally, the predictive efficacy of the nomogram was evaluated by ROC curve and calibration curve in the training and validation cohort. Finally, a risk stratification system based on the nomogram was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 472 PCLM patients were enrolled in the study. The optimal cutoff values of SII, PNI, PLR and NLR were 372, 43.6, 285.7143 and 1.48, respectively. By combing SII and PNI, named coSII-PNI, we divided the patients into three groups. The Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated above indices were correlated with OS. Univariate and multivariate analyses found the independent prognostic factors of OS. Through LASSO cox analysis, coSII-PNI, PNI, NLR, CA199, CEA, chemotherapy and gender were used to construct the nomogram. Lastly, the ROC curve and calibration curve demonstrated that the nomogram can predict prognosis of PCLM patients. Significant differences were observed between high and low groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram based on immune, inflammation, nutritional status and other clinical factors can accurately predict OS of PCLM patients.

Treatment of Candida albicans liver abscess complicated with COVID-19 after liver metastasis ablation: A case report

BACKGROUND

Liver interventional surgery is a relatively safe and minimally invasive surgery. However, for patients who have undergone Whipple surgery, the probability of developing a liver abscess after liver interventional surgery is very high. Fungal liver abscess has a high mortality rate, especially when complicated with malignant tumors, diabetes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other complications. Fungal liver abscess is rare, and there are no guidelines or expert consensus on the course of antifungal therapy.

CASE SUMMARY

A 54-year-old woman with pancreatic head cancer received albumin-bound paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine chemotherapy after laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Liver metastasis was found 1 mo after completion of 8 cycles of chemotherapy, followed by ablation of the liver metastasis. After half a month of liver metastasis ablation, the patient experienced fever after chemotherapy and was diagnosed with liver abscess complicated with COVID-19 by contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography and real-time polymerase chain reaction detection. The results of pus culture showed Candida albicans, which was sensitive to fluconazole. The patient underwent percutaneous catheter drainage, antifungal therapy with fluconazole, and antiviral therapy with azvudine. During antifungal therapy, the patient showed a significant increase in liver enzyme levels and was discharged after liver protection therapy. Oral fluconazole was continued for 1 wk outside the hospital, and fluconazole was used for a total of 5 wk. The patient recovered well and received 4 cycles of fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan after 2 mo of antifungal therapy.

CONCLUSION

Effective treatment of Candida albicans liver abscess requires early detection, percutaneous catheter drainage, and 5 wk of antifungal therapy. Meanwhile, complications such as COVID-19 should be actively managed and nutritional support should be provided.

Sequential therapy for pancreatic cancer patients with synchronous oligo-hepatic metastatic lesions

BACKGROUND

Treatments for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer with oligo-hepatic metastasis have always been a cause of certain controversy. Herein, we reported 15 pancreatic cancer patients with oligo-hepatic metastasis who accepted sequential therapy of chemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and radical resection of the primary tumor.

METHODS

A total of 87 pancreatic cancer patients with synchronous oligo-metastatic hepatic lesions who received treatments in the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between January 2017 and July 2020 were enrolled. The chemotherapy regimens included modified folfirinox (54/87) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (33/87). Test of blood tumor markers and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) scan was performed at diagnosis and after eight weeks of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients received just chemotherapy because of poor reaction to the first round of chemotherapy(Overall survival (OS), 6.47±1.80 months); 15 patients reassessed as stable disease (SD)/partial response (PR) continued chemotherapy (OS, 10.35±3.15); nine patients reassessed as progressive disease (PD) after RFA and continued chemotherapy (OS, 10.90±2.60). The primary tumors in 13 patients were unresectable after chemotherapy and RFA (OS, 12.92±2.47), while 15 patients completed the sequential therapy of chemotherapy, radio-frequency ablation, and radical resection (OS, 16.76±6.55).

CONCLUSIONS

Sequential chemotherapy and RFA is a good treatment strategy to select the best candidates for surgical treatment among patients with pancreatic cancer with oligo-hepatic metastasis.

The Pre-Ablation Circulating Tumor-Associated Inflammatory Index Predicts the Prognosis of Patients with Liver Metastasis from Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Ablation serves as a common local treatment for liver metastases from pancreatic cancer (PCLM), but the correlation between the prognosis of PCLM and inflammatory cytokines has been rarely reported. This study aimed to establish a cytokine-based prognostic model for patients with PCLM who are receiving ablation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Serum samples from peripheral blood were collected from patients with PCLM before their first ablation. Cytokines were measured using Luminex chips and ELISA. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used to select prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was applied to compare the ability to predict survival.

RESULTS

The relationship between cytokines and clinical factors was evaluated and their prognostic value was compared. Six optimal predictors were selected, including IL-2, IL-7, HGF, IFN-γ, CA19-9 and CEA. The risk model based on these predictors was built and named circulating tumor-associated inflammatory index (CTII). The CTII (AUCs > 0.90) showed superior performance to systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, AUCs < 0.65) in OS.

CONCLUSION

A circulating cytokine-based risk model for patients with PCLM before first ablation has been proposed and validated, which has demonstrated superior performance in predicting survival and has the potential to inform clinical treatment strategies.

Interventional oncology of liver tumors: how it all started and where are we now

Liver was the very first organ for which interventional procedures were applied for the local treatment of primary and secondary malignancies. In this paper, the history of Interventional Oncology of liver, from the very beginning to the current situation, is summarized, including both percutaneous and intravascular procedures, and together with the evolution of the techniques for image guidance. The main ongoing developments, such as new techniques, combined interventional treatments and association of local interventions with new drugs are briefly described, too.

Evidence on percutaneous radiofrequency and microwave ablation for liver metastases over the last decade

Purpose

This review aimed to summarize the treatment outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for metastatic liver tumors based on the findings of published studies over the last decade.

Materials and methods

Literature describing the survival outcomes of ablation therapy for liver metastases was explored using the PubMed database on April 26, 2022, and articles published in 2012 or later were selected. The included studies met the following criteria: (i) English literature, (ii) original clinical studies, and (iii) literature describing overall survival (OS) of thermal ablation for metastatic liver tumors. All case reports and cohort studies with fewer than 20 patients and those that evaluated ablation for palliative purposes were excluded.

Results

RFA was the most commonly used method for ablation, while MWA was used in several recent studies. RFA and MWA for liver metastases from various primary tumors have been reported; however, majority of the studies focused on colorectal cancer. The local control rate by RFA and MWA varied widely among the studies, ranging approximately 50–90%. Five-year survival rates of 20–60% have been reported following ablation for colorectal liver metastases by a number of studies, and several reports of 10-year survival rates were also noted.

Conclusion

Comparative studies of local therapies for colorectal liver metastases demonstrated that RFA provides comparable survival outcomes to surgical metastasectomy and stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Pancreatic Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities in Locoregional Therapies

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer is a serious ongoing global health burden, with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. One major hurdle in the treatment of this disease is the predominantly elderly patient population, leading to their ineligibility for curative surgery and a low rate of successful outcomes. Systemic administration introduces chemo-agents throughout the body via the blood, attacking not only tumours but also healthy organs. When localised interventions are employed, chemo-agents are retained specifically at tumour site, minimizing unwanted toxicity. As a result, there is a growing interest in finding novel localised interventions as alternatives to systemic therapy. Here, we present a detailed review of current locoregional therapies used in pancreatic cancer therapy. This work aims to present a thorough guide for researchers and clinicians intended to employ established and novel localised interventions in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we present our insights and opinions on the potential ideals to improve these tools.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the third in the United States, making it one of the most lethal solid malignancies. Unfortunately, the symptoms of this disease are not very apparent despite an increasing incidence rate. Therefore, at the time of diagnosis, 45% of patients have already developed metastatic tumours. Due to the aggressive nature of the pancreatic tumours, local interventions are required in addition to first-line treatments. Locoregional interventions affect a specific area of the pancreas to minimize local tumour recurrence and reduce the side effects on surrounding healthy tissues. However, compared to the number of new studies on systemic therapy, very little research has been conducted on localised interventions for PC. To address this unbalanced focus and to shed light on the tremendous potentials of locoregional therapies, this work will provide a detailed discussion of various localised treatment strategies. Most importantly, to the best of our knowledge, the aspect of localised drug delivery systems used in PC was unprecedentedly discussed in this work. This review is meant for researchers and clinicians considering utilizing local therapy for the effective treatment of PC, providing a thorough guide on recent advancements in research and clinical trials toward locoregional interventions, together with the authors’ insight into their potential improvements.

Is hepatic resection justified for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection (HR) is effective for colorectal or neuroendocrine liver metastases. However, the role of HR for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases (NCNNLM) is unknown. This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on long-term clinical outcomes after HR for NCNNLM.

METHODS

electronic search was performed to identify relevant publications using PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Primary outcomes were 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes were post-operative morbidity and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

There were 40 selected studies involving 5696 patients with NCNNLM undergone HR. Pooled data analyses showed that the 3- and 5-year OS were 40% (95% CI 0.35-0.46) and 32% (95% CI 0.29-0.36), whereas the 3- and 5-year DFS were 28% (95% CI 0.21-0.36) and 24% (95% CI 0.20-0.30), respectively. The postoperative morbidity rate was 28%, while the 30-day mortality was 2%. Subgroup analysis on HR for gastric cancer liver metastasis revealed the 3-year and 5-year OS of 39% and 25%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HR for NCNNLM may achieve satisfactory survival outcome in selected patients with low morbidities and mortalities. However, more concrete evidence from prospective study is warrant in future.

Repeated ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation combined with systemic therapy achieves a stable condition in an end-stage patient with more than 10 liver metastases from breast cancer: The importance of sonazoid assisted contrast-enhanced ultrasound and fusion imaging

The liver is one of the most frequent metastatic sites of breast cancer with a relatively poor prognosis. Systemic chemotherapy is an effective treatment but the efficacy is different between the subtypes of breast cancer. Percutaneous thermal ablation is considered to be a minimally invasive and effective local treatment for breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM). This case report described a patient with BCLM who adopted a strategy of systemic chemotherapy and repeated ultrasound (US) -guided percutaneous thermal ablation procedures. The survival time already reached 8 years till now with the metastases well-controlled and acceptable life quality was achieved.

Worth it or not? Primary tumor resection for stage IV pancreatic cancer patients: A SEER-based analysis of 15,836 cases

BACKGROUND

Primary tumor resection (PTR) as a treatment option for patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer (PC) is controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Stage IV PC patients, with treatment data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), were screened. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

RESULTS

We enrolled 15,836 stage IV PC patients in this study. Propensity score-matched analyses revealed improved OS and CSS of patients receiving chemotherapy plus PTR versus chemotherapy (median survival time [MSTOS ]: 13 vs. 9 months, p = 0.024; MSTCSS : 14 vs. 10 months, p = 0.035), and chemoradiotherapy plus PTR versus chemoradiotherapy (MSTOS : 14 vs. 7 months, p = 0.044; MSTCSS : 14 vs. 7 months, p = 0.066). Multivariate adjusted analyses further confirmed these results. Stratified with different metastatic modalities, multivariate analyses suggested that PTR significantly improved the OS and CSS among patients with ≤1 metastatic organ, and that patients with brain metastasis might not benefit from chemotherapy treatment.

CONCLUSION

PTR improves the OS and CSS of stage IV PC patients on the basis of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, provided that the metastases involve ≤1 organ. Chemotherapy, however, should be carefully considered in patients with metastases involving the brain.