Neoadjuvant chemoradiation with Gemcitabine for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Executive Summary of the American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria for Neoadjuvant Therapy for Nonmetastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Systematic Review and Guidelines

For patients with locoregionally confined pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), margin-negative surgical resection is the only known curative treatment; however, the majority of patients are not operable candidates at initial diagnosis. Among patients with resectable disease who undergo surgery alone, the 5-year survival remains poor. Adjuvant therapies, including systemic therapy or chemoradiation, are utilized as they improve locoregional control and overall survival. There has been increasing interest in the use of neoadjuvant therapy to obtain early control of occult metastatic disease, allow local tumor response to facilitate margin-negative resection, and provide a test of time and biology to assist with the selection of candidates most likely to benefit from radical surgical resection. However, limited guidance exists regarding the relative effectiveness of treatment options. In this systematic review, the American Radium Society multidisciplinary gastrointestinal expert panel convened to develop Appropriate Use Criteria evaluating the evidence regarding neoadjuvant treatment for patients with PDAC, including surgery, systemic therapy, and radiotherapy, in terms of oncologic outcomes and quality of life. The evidence was assessed using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study (PICOS) design framework and "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" 2020 methodology. Eligible studies included phases 2 to 3 trials, meta-analyses, and retrospective analyses published between January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2022 in the Ovid Medline database. A summary of recommendations based on the available literature is outlined to guide practitioners in the management of patients with PDAC.

Lipid-Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Docetaxel Prodrug for Exploiting Full Potential of Gold Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Current chemoradiation therapy suffers from normal tissue toxicity. Thus, we are proposing incorporating gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and docetaxel (DTX), as they have shown very promising synergetic radiosensitization effects. Here, we explored the effect of a DTX prodrug encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP_DTX-P) on GNP uptake in pancreatic cancer models in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro experiment, a pancreatic cancer cell line, MIA PaCa-2, was cultured and dosed with 1 nM GNPs and 45 nM free DTX or an equivalent dose of LNP_DTX-P. For the in vivo experiment, MIA PaCa-2 cells were implanted subcutaneously in NRG mice, and the mice were dosed with 2 mg/kg of GNPs and 6 mg/kg of DTX or an equivalent dose of LNP_DTX-P. The results show that LNP_DTX-P-treated tumour samples had double the amount GNPs compared to control samples, both in vitro and in vivo. The results are very promising, as LNP_DTX-P have superior targeting of tumour tissues compared to free DTX due to their nanosize and their ability to be functionalized. Because of their minimal toxicity to normal tissues, both GNPs and LNP_DTX-P could be ideal radiosensitization candidates in radiotherapy and would produce very promising synergistic therapeutic outcomes.

Efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy for locoregional recurrent pancreatic cancer after radical resection

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for locoregional recurrent pancreatic cancer after radical resection.

Methods

Patients with locoregional recurrent pancreatic cancer after surgery treated with SBRT in our institution were retrospectively investigated from January 2010 to January 2020. Absolute neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) recorded at pretreatment were analyzed. Endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and cumulative incidences of local failure (LF) and metastatic failure (MF).

Results

A total of 22 patients received SBRT with a median prescribed dose of 40 Gy (range of 30-50 Gy)/4 to 7 fractions. The median OS of all patients was 13.6 months (95% CI, 9.6-17.5 months). 0-1 performance status (HR 12.10, 95% CI 2.04-71.81, P=0.006) and ≤2.1 pre-SBRT NLR (HR 4.05, 95% CI 1.21-13.59, P=0.023) were significant predictors of higher OS on multivariable analysis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the cohort was 7.5 months (95% CI, 6.5-8.5 months). The median time to LF and MF were 15.6 months and 6.4 months, respectively. The rate of MF as a first event was higher than that of first event LF. Pain relief was observed in all patients (100%) 6 weeks after SBRT. In terms of acute toxicity, grade 1 including fatigue (6, 27.3%), anorexia (6, 27.3%), nausea (4, 18.2%) and leukopenia (4, 18.2%) was often observed. No acute toxicity of grade 4 or 5 was observed. In terms of late toxicity, no treatment-related toxicity was found during follow-up.

Conclusion

This study showed that SBRT can significantly reduce pain, effectively control local tumor progression, and have acceptable toxicity for patients with locoregional recurrence after radical resection of primary pancreatic cancer. Good performance status and lower pre-SBRT NLR were associated with improved overall survival.

Korean Surgical Practice Guideline for Pancreatic Cancer 2021: A summary of evidence-based surgical approaches

Pancreatic cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Korea. Despite the increasing incidence and high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer, there are no appropriate surgical practice guidelines for the current domestic medical situation. To enable standardization of management and facilitate improvements in surgical outcome, a total of 10 pancreatic surgical experts who are members of Korean Association of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery have developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date, evidence-based research findings and expert opinions. This is an English version of the Korean Surgical Practice Guideline for Pancreatic Cancer 2021. This guideline includes 13 surgical questions and 15 statements. Due to the lack of high-level evidence, strong recommendation is almost impossible. However, we believe that this guideline will help surgeons understand the current status of evidence and suggest what to investigate further to establish more solid recommendations in the future.

Neoadjuvant treatment: A window of opportunity for nutritional prehabilitation in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Patients affected by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) frequently present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, limiting an upfront surgical approach. Neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) has become the standard of care to downstage non-metastatic locally advanced PDAC. However, this treatment increases the risk of a nutritional status decline, which in turn, may impact therapeutic tolerance, postoperative outcomes, or even prevent the possibility of surgery. Literature on prehabilitation programs on surgical PDAC patients show a reduction of postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and readmission rate, while data on prehabilitation in NAT patients are scarce and randomized controlled trials are still missing. Particularly, appropriate nutritional management represents an important therapeutic strategy to promote tissue healing and to enhance patient recovery after surgical trauma. In this regard, NAT may represent a new interesting window of opportunity to implement a nutritional prehabilitation program, aiming to increase the PDAC patient's capacity to complete the planned therapy and potentially improve clinical and survival outcomes. Given these perspectives, this review attempts to provide an in-depth view of the nutritional derangements during NAT and nutritional prehabilitation program as well as their impact on PDAC patient outcomes.

Impact of DNA repair and reactive oxygen species levels on radioresistance in pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE

Radioresistance in pancreatic cancer patients remains a critical obstacle to overcome. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying radioresistance may achieve better response to radiotherapy and thereby improving the poor treatment outcome. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms leading to radioresistance by detailed characterization of isogenic radioresistant and radiosensitive cell lines.

METHODS

The human pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2 were repeatedly exposed to radiation to generate radioresistant (RR) isogenic cell lines. The surviving cells were expanded, and their radiosensitivity was measured using colony formation assay. Tumor growth delay after irradiation was determined in a mouse pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Gene and protein expression were analyzed using RNA sequencing and Western blot, respectively. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis (Caspase 3/7) were measured by FACS analysis. Reactive oxygen species generation and DNA damage were analyzed by detection of CM-H₂DCFDA and γH2AX staining, respectively. Transwell chamber assays were used to investigate cell migration and invasion.

RESULTS

The acquired radioresistance of RR cell lines was demonstrated in vitro and validated in vivo. Ingenuity pathway analysis of RNA sequencing data predicted activation of cell viability in both RR cell lines. RR cancer cell lines demonstrated greater DNA repair efficiency and lower basal and radiation-induced reactive oxygen species levels. Migration and invasion were differentially affected in RR cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that repeated exposure to irradiation increases the expression of genes involved in cell viability and thereby leads to radioresistance. Mechanistically, increased DNA repair capacity and reduced oxidative stress might contribute to the radioresistant phenotype.

Survival equivalence in patients treated for borderline resectable and unresectable locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The clinical relevance of subdivision of non-metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) into locally advanced borderline resectable (LA-BR) and locally advanced unresectable (LA-UR) has been questioned. We assessed equivalence of overall survival (OS) in patients with LA-BR and LA-UR PDAC.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed of studies published January 1, 2009 to August 21, 2019, reporting OS for LA-BR and LA-UR patients treated with or without neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), with or without surgical resection. A frequentist network meta-analysis was used to assess the primary outcome (hazard ratio for OS) and secondary outcomes (OS in LA-BR, LA-UR, and upfront resectable (UFR) PDAC).

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies, comprising 14,065 patients in a network of eight unique treatment subgroups were analysed. Overall survival was better for LA-BR than LA-UR patients following surgery both with and without NAT. Neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery was associated with longer OS for UFR, LA-BR, and LA-UR tumours, compared to upfront surgery.

CONCLUSION

Survival between the LA-BR and LA-UR subgroups was not equivalent. This subdivision is useful for prognostication, but likely unhelpful in treatment decision making. Our data supports NAT regardless of initial disease extent. Individual patient data assessment is needed to accurately estimate the benefit of NAT.

Meta-analysis of FOLFIRINOX-based neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Currently, the combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) is the standard therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer. In recent years, FOLFIRINOX-based neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) has been gaining an increasing amount of attention, owing to its ability to reduce disease stage and transform LAPC to borderline resectable or even resectable pancreatic cancer. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy in patients with LAPC.We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from the time of establishment till January 1, 2020 and included studies focusing on LAPC patients who received FOLFIRINOX as first-line neoadjuvant treatment. The primary outcomes were: resection rate and radical (R0) resection rate while the secondary outcomes were: objective response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, and rate of grade 3 to 4 adverse events. The meta package for R 3.6.2 was used for heterogeneity and publication bias testing.Twenty-one studies, including 653 patients with LAPC, were selected. After treatment with FOLFIRINOX, the resection rate was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20%-32%, I2 = 61%) and R0 resection rate was 88% (95% CI = 78%-95%, I2 = 62%). The response rate was 34% (95% CI = 25%-43%, I2 = 56%). The median overall survival and progression-free survival durations ranged from 10.0 to 32.7 months and 3.0 to 25.3 months, respectively. The observed grade 3 to 4 adverse events were neutropenia (20.0 per 100 patients, 95% CI = 14%-27%, I2 = 75%), febrile neutropenia (7.0 per 100 patients, 95% CI = 5%-9%, I2 = 42%), thrombocytopenia (6.0 per 100 patients, 95% CI = 5%-8%, I2 = 27%), nausea/vomiting (7.0 per 100 patients, 95% CI = 7%-12%, I2 = 76%), diarrhea (10.0 per 100 patients, 95% CI = 8%-12%, I2 = 38%), and fatigue (9.0 per 100 patients, 95% CI = 7%-11%, I2 = 43%).FOLFIRINOX-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy has the potential to improve the rates of resection, R0 resection, and median OS in LAPC. Our results require further validation in large, high-quality randomized controlled trials.

Radiographic Response of Vessel Involvement and Resectability After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Survival of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is improved when neoadjuvant chemoradiation enables subsequent surgical resection. Here, the authors assess changes in vessel involvement as a possible indicator of resectability.

METHODS

Pancreatic gross tumor and all major abdominal vessels were contoured for 49 patients with unresectable LAPC before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Changes were compared by paired t tests. Tumor-vessel relationships were automatically quantified using Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit and examined for correlation with resectability and outcome.

RESULTS

Tumor volumes were significantly reduced by chemoradiation (41 to 33 mL, P<0.0001). Maximum circumferential vessel involvement decreased for most patients and was statistically significant for the superior mesenteric (P<0.003) and splenic veins (P<0.038). Resection was possible in some patients and correlated positively with survival (28 vs. 15 mo, r=0.40), a decrease in CA 19.9 levels (r=0.48), and reduced involvement of most vessels. Nevertheless, surgical resection with a successful detachment of tumor tissue from major vessels was also achieved in some patients who did not show improvement in radiographic vessel involvement, but rather a reduction in tumor volume and CA 19.9 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis demonstrates that neoadjuvant chemoradiation can enable subsequent surgical resection in patients with LAPC. Complete resection substantially prolongs survival. Therefore, surgical exploration should be offered if vessel involvement is improved by chemoradiation and considered in radiographic unchanged vessel involvement if size and CA 19.9 levels decrease, as these factors may indicate resectable disease, too.

Successful conversion surgery of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) with double arterial reconstruction using saphenous vein grafting for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: a case report

Background

Pancreatic cancer is a disease with a poor prognosis, requiring multidisciplinary treatment combining chemotherapy and surgery for effective management. Distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) is a surgical intervention performed for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but the benefit of arterial reconstruction in DP-CAR is unclear.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old man with pancreatic cancer was referred to our hospital. Imaging revealed a 54-mm tumor mainly in the pancreatic body, but with arterial infiltration including into the celiac, common hepatic, left gastric, splenic and gastroduodenal arteries. Distant metastases were not detected. The patient was diagnosed with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer and chemoradiotherapy was planned. Three cycles of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m²) plus nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m²) every 4 weeks were followed by irradiation (2 Gy/day, total 50 Gy over 25 days) together with S-1 administration (80 mg/m²/day). A partial response (PR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was achieved, so surgical intervention was considered. Because the tumor had invaded the root of the gastroduodenal artery, we performed DP-CAR with resection of the gastroduodenal artery, followed by arterial reconstruction of the proper hepatic and left gastric arteries, anastomosed with the abdominal aorta using a great saphenous vein graft in the shape of a “Y”. Histopathology showed that 60% of tumor cells were destroyed by the chemoradiotherapy, defined as grade IIb in the Evans classification. No malignancy was detected at the surgical margin, including the celiac artery, gastroduodenal artery or pancreatic stump; thus R0 surgery was successful. S-1 (80 mg/day) was administered as adjuvant chemotherapy for 6 months. The patient is now doing well without recurrence for > 2 years after the initial treatment (more than 16 months after surgery).

Conclusion

For locally advanced pancreatic cancer, multidisciplinary treatment combining gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel-based chemoradiotherapy and then DP-CAR surgery with gastroduodenal artery resection and arterial reconstruction using saphenous vein grafting enabled R0 resection in this patient and led to a favorable long-term prognosis.

Treatment Strategies for the Optimal Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma With Curative Intent: A Systematic Review

Historically, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPDAC) was considered a palliative condition. Advances in treatment have resulted in studies reporting survival after neoadjuvant treatment and surgery similar to earlier disease stages. However, there is no consensus on optimal LAPDAC management. Our aim was a systematic review of published evidence on LAPDAC treatment strategies with curative intent. Twenty-eight studies defining LAPDAC as per established criteria and reporting outcomes after neoadjuvant treatment with a view to resection were included. Primary outcomes were resection rate and proportion of curative resections. Secondary outcomes were postoperative mortality, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Neoadjuvant treatment varied significantly, most common being the combination of folinic acid, fluorouracil, irontecan, and oxaliplatin. Median percentage of patients proceeding to surgery after completion of neoadjuvant pathway was 33.5%. Median resection rate was 25%. Median R0 resection was 80% of resected patients. These outcomes ranged 0% to 100% across studies. Ninety-day postoperative mortality ranged from 0% to 5%. Median progression-free and overall survival for resected patients were 12.9 and 30 months, respectively, versus 13.2 months overall survival for unresected patients. In conclusion, although there is wide variability in reported LAPDAC resection rates post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, retrospective data suggest that neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery results in improved survival.

Novel strategies using modern radiotherapy to improve pancreatic cancer outcomes: toward a new standard?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most aggressive solid tumours with an estimated 5-year overall survival rate of 7% for all stages combined. In this highly resistant disease that is located in the vicinity of many radiosensitive organs, the role of radiotherapy (RT) and indications for its use in this setting have been debated for a long time and are still under investigation. Although a survival benefit has yet to be clearly demonstrated for RT, it is the only technique, other than surgery, that has been demonstrated to lead to local control improvement. The adjuvant approach is now strongly challenged by neoadjuvant treatments that could spare patients with rapidly progressive systemic disease from unnecessary surgery and may increase free margin (R0) resection rates for those eligible for surgery. Recently developed dose-escalated RT treatments, designed either to maintain full-dose chemotherapy or to deliver a high biologically effective dose, particularly to areas of contact between the tumour and blood vessels, such as hypofractionated ablative RT (HFA-RT) or stereotactic body RT (SBRT), are progressively changing the treatment landscape. These modern strategies are currently being tested in prospective clinical trials with encouraging preliminary results, paving the way for more effective treatment combinations using novel targeted therapies. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the use of RT for the treatment of primary PDAC, describes the limitations of conventional RT, and discusses the emerging role of dose-escalated RT and heavy-particle RT.

Cachectic Body Composition and Inflammatory Markers Portend a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Chemoradiation

BACKGROUND

Patients with pancreatic cancer often develop cancer cachexia, a complex multifactorial syndrome with weight loss, muscle wasting and adipose tissue depletion with systemic inflammation causing physical impairment. In patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) neoadjuvant treatment is routinely performed to allow a subsequent resection. Herein, we assess body composition and laboratory markers for cancer cachexia both before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT).

METHODS

Subcutaneous fat (SCF), visceral fat (VF), skeletal muscle (SM), weight and laboratory parameters were determined longitudinally in 141 LAPC patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT. Changes during CRT were statistically analyzed and correlated with outcome and Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted. Different prognostic factors linked to cachexia were assessed by uni- and multivariable cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in weight as well as SCF, VF and SM during CRT. The laboratory parameter C-reactive protein (CRP) increased significantly, whereas there was a significant decrease in leukocyte count, hemoglobin, albumin and cholinesterase as well as in the tumor marker CA 19.9. Cachectic weight loss, sarcopenia, reductions in body compartments SCF, VF and SM, and changes in laboratory markers as well as resection affected survival in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, weight loss >5% (HR 2.8), reduction in SM >5% (HR 5.5), an increase in CRP (HR 2.2) or CA 19.9 (HR 1.9), and resection (HR 0.4) remained independently associated with survival, whereas classical cachexia and sarcopenia did not. Interestingly, the subgroup of patients with cachectic weight loss >5% or SM reduction >5% during CRT did not benefit from resection (median survival 12 vs. 27 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent weight loss and muscle depletion during CRT as well as systemic inflammation after CRT impacted survival more than cachexia or sarcopenia according classical definitions.

Continued Weight Loss and Sarcopenia Predict Poor Outcomes in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Chemoradiation

Background: Surgical resection offers the best chance of survival in patients with pancreatic cancer, but those with locally advanced disease (LAPC) are usually not surgical candidates. This cohort often receives either neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation (CRT), but unintended weight loss coupled with muscle wasting (sarcopenia) can often be observed. Here, we report on the predictive value of changes in weight and muscle mass in 147 consecutive patients with LAPC treated with neoadjuvant CRT. Methods: Clinicopathologic data were obtained via a retrospective chart review. The abdominal skeletal muscle area (SMA) at the third lumbar vertebral body was determined via computer tomographic (CT) scans as a surrogate for the muscle mass and skeletal muscle index (SMI) calculated. Uni- and multi-variable statistical tests were performed to assess for impact on survival. Results: Weight loss (14.5 vs. 20.3 months; p = 0.04) and loss of muscle mass (15.1 vs. 22.2 months; p = 0.007) were associated with poor outcomes. The highest survival was observed in patients who had neither cachectic weight loss nor sarcopenia (27 months), with improved survival seen in those who ultimately received a resection (23 vs. 10 months; p < 0.001). Cox regression revealed that either continued weight loss or continued muscle wasting (SMA reduction) was predictive of poor outcomes, whereas a sarcopenic SMI was not. Conclusions: Loss of weight and lean muscle in patients with LAPC is prognostic when persistent. Therefore, both should be assessed longitudinally and considered before surgery.

Chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer

Chemotherapy is an important part of multimodality pancreatic cancer treatment. After curative resection, adjuvant chemotherapy can significantly improve disease free survival and overall survival. The current standard of care is six months adjuvant chemotherapy with modified folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (mFOLFIRINOX) in patients fit enough for this protocol, otherwise six months of gemcitabine and capecitabine based on the European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer (ESPAC)-4 study. In patients with metastatic disease, combination chemotherapy according to the FOLFIRINOX protocol or with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel is an important improvement to gemcitabine monotherapy that was the standard for many years. Patients not fit for combination chemotherapy however may still benefit from gemcitabine. Patients with good performance status may benefit from second-line chemotherapy. Chemoradiation has long been used in locally advanced pancreatic cancer but is now tempered following the LAP07 study. This trial showed no difference in overall survival in those patients with stable disease after four months of gemcitabine (with or without erlotinib) randomized to either continuation of gemcitabine therapy or chemoradiation (54Gy with capecitabine). As an alternative to radiation, other forms local therapies including radiofrequency ablation, irreversible electroporation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, microwave ablation and local anti-KRAS therapy (using siG12D-LODER) are currently under investigation. Given the systemic nature of pancreas cancer from an early stage, the success of any local approach other than complete surgical resection (with adjuvant systemic therapy) is likely to be very limited. In patients with locally advanced, irresectable cancer, chemotherapy may offer the chance for secondary resection with a survival similar to patients with primary resectable disease. Downstaging regimens need to be evaluated in prospective randomized trials in order to make firm recommendations. Selection of patient groups for specific therapy including cytotoxics is becoming a reality using assays based on drug cellular transport and metabolism, and molecular signatures. Going forward, high throughput screening of different chemotherapy agents using molecular signatures based on patients' derived organoids holds considerable promise.

Use of radiotherapy in patients with palliative double bypass for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Purpose

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has not changed overall survival in recent years despite therapeutic efforts. Surgery with curative intent has shown the best long-term oncological results. However, 80%–85% of patients with these tumors are unresectable at the time of diagnosis. In those patients, first therapeutic attempts are minimally invasive or surgical procedures to alleviate symptoms. The addition of radiotherapy (RT) to standard chemotherapy, ergo chemoradiation, in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is still controversial. The study aims to compare outcomes in patients with a double bypass surgery due to LAPC treated or not with RT.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with double bypass for LAPC were registered and divided into two groups: treated or not with postoperative RT. Baseline characteristics, postoperative complications, those related to RT and their relation to the main event (mortality) were compared.

Results

Seventy-four patients were included. Surgical complications between the groups did not offer significant differences. Complications related to RT were mostly mild, and 86% of patients completed the treatment. Overall survival at 1 and 2 years for patients in the exposed group was 64% and 35% vs. 50% and 28% in the non-exposed group, respectively (p = 0.11; power 72%; hazard ratio = 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.24–1.18).

Conclusion

We observed a tendency for survival improvement in patients with postoperative RT. However, we’ve not had enough power to demonstrate this difference, possibly due to the small sample size. It is indispensable to develop randomized and prospective trials to guide more specific treatment lines in this patients.

Management of Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

With the rapid development of imaging modalities and surgical techniques, the clinical entity representing tumors that are intermediate between resectable and unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been identified has been termed "borderline resectable" (BR). These tumors are generally amenable for resection but portend an increased risk for positive margins after surgery and commonly necessitate vascular resection and reconstruction. Although there is a lack of consensus regarding the appropriate definition of what constitutes a BR pancreatic tumor, it has been demonstrated that this intermediate category carries a particular prognosis that is in between resectable and unresectable disease. In order to downstage the tumor and increase the probability of clear surgical margins, neoadjuvant therapy is being increasingly utilized and studied. There is a lack of high-level evidence to establish the optimal treatment regimen for BR tumors. When resection with negative margins is achieved after neoadjuvant therapy, the prognosis for BR tumors approaches and even exceeds that for resectable disease. This review presents the current definitions, different treatment approaches, and the clinical outcomes of BR pancreatic cancer.

Effective radiotherapeutic treatment intensification in patients with pancreatic cancer: higher doses alone, higher RBE or both?

Pancreatic cancer, especially in case of locally advanced stage has a poor prognosis. Radiotherapy in general can lead to tumor volume reduction, but further improvements, such as ion beam therapy have to be promoted in order to enable dose escalation, which in turn results in better local control rates and downsizing of the tumor itself. Ion beam therapy with its highly promising physical properties is also accompanied by distinct inter- and intrafractional challenges in case of robustness. First clinical results are promising, but further research in motion mitigation and biological treatment planning is necessary, in order to determine the best clinical rationales and conditions of ion beam therapy of pancreatic cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge and studies on ion beam therapy of pancreatic cancer.

Neoadjuvant treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 5520 patients

BACKGROUND

Recent years have seen standardization of the anatomic definitions of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and increasing utilization of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). The aim of the current review was to summarize the evidence for NAT in pancreatic adenocarcinoma since 2009, when consensus criteria for resectable (R), borderline resectable (BR), and locally advanced (LA) disease were endorsed.

METHODS

PubMed search was undertaken along with extensive backward search of the references of published articles to identify studies utilizing NAT for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Abstracts from ASCO-GI 2014 and 2015 were also searched.

RESULTS

A total of 96 studies including 5520 patients were included in the final quantitative synthesis. Pooled estimates revealed 36% grade ≥ 3 toxicities, 5% biliary complications, 21% hospitalization rate and low mortality (0%, range 0-16%) during NAT. The majority of patients (59%) had stable disease. On an intention-to-treat basis, R0-resection rates varied from 63% among R patients to 23% among LA patients. R0 rates were > 80% among all patients who were resected after NAT. Among R and BR patients who underwent resection after NAT, median OS was 30 and 27.4 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study summarizes the recent literature for NAT in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and demonstrates improving outcomes after NAT compared to those historically associated with a surgery-first approach for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Sulforaphane enhances irradiation effects in terms of perturbed cell cycle progression and increased DNA damage in pancreatic cancer cells

Background

Sulforaphane (SFN), an herbal isothiocyanate enriched in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, has gained popularity for its antitumor effects in cell lines such as pancreatic cancer. Antiproliferative as well as radiosensitizing properties were reported for head and neck cancer but little is known about its effects in pancreatic cancer cells in combination with irradiation (RT).

Methods

In four established pancreatic cancer cell lines we investigated clonogenic survival, analyzed cell cycle distribution and compared DNA damage via flow cytometry and western blot after treatment with SFN and RT.

Results

Both SFN and RT show a strong and dose dependent survival reduction in clonogenic assays, an induction of a G2/M cell cycle arrest and an increase in γH2AX protein level indicating DNA damage. Effects were more pronounced in combined treatment and both cell cycle perturbation and DNA damage persisted for a longer period than after SFN or RT alone. Moreover, SFN induced a loss of DNA repair proteins Ku 70, Ku 80 and XRCC4.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that combination of SFN and RT exerts a more distinct DNA damage and growth inhibition than each treatment alone. SFN seems to be a viable option to improve treatment efficacy of chemoradiation with hopefully higher rates of secondary resectability after neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Combination therapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the early treatment outcomes of combined gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel treatment for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LURPC). The subjects comprised 7 patients with LURPC receiving the abovementioned combination therapy at the Hirosaki University Hospital (Hirosaki, Japan) between January and September, 2015. The clinicopathological factors, adverse events and response to treatment were investigated. To determine whether the cases were unresectable, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, version 2. 201,) were applied. The patients underwent a median of 4 (range, 2-7) courses of treatment. The response to treatment was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors. The subjects included 1 male and 6 female LURPC patients, with a median age of 71 years (range, 59-78 years). The tumor was located in the head and body of the pancreas in 6 and 1 patients, respectively. No patients achieved a complete response, 5 achieved a partial response, 2 had stable disease, and none exhibited progressive disease. The response rate was 71%. The mean tumor diameter decreased significantly from 35 mm (range, 24-60 mm) prior to treatment to 22 mm (range, 20-35 mm) following treatment. Two patients were downstaged. The mean carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 values decreased significantly from 767 U/ml (range, 14-1,977 U/ml) prior to treatment to 35 U/ml (range, 14-123 U/ml) following treatment. Adverse events classified as grade ≥3 occurred in 4 patients (57%): 3 patients (43%) suffered from neutropenia and 1 patient (14%) developed bilateral cellulitis of the lower extremities. No patients experienced an increase in disease severity, and all were able to continue treatment following temporary withdrawal or dosage reduction. Therefore, combined treatment with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel had favorable tumor-reducing effects and was not associated with severe adverse events, suggesting that this is a useful therapeutic strategy for patients with LURPC.

Sulfonylureas (not metformin) improve survival of patients with diabetes and resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma have an increased propensity for diabetes. Recent studies suggest patients with diabetes and pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with metformin have increased survival. This study was undertaken to determine whether metformin use is associated with increased survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Combination of Photon and Carbon Ion Irradiation with Targeted Therapy Substances Temsirolimus and Gemcitabine in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines

Background

This work investigates on putative cytotoxic effects in four different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines after irradiation with photons or carbon ions in combination with new targeted molecular therapy using either Temsirolimus (TEM) or Gemcitabine (GEM).

Methods and materials

The HCC cell lines HepG2, Hep3B, HuH7, and PLC were cultured and irradiated with photons or carbon ions at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center using the raster-scanning method. For combination experiments, cell lines were first treated with Temsirolimus or GEM before irradiation. Cytotoxicity was measured by a clonogenic survival assay. The evaluation of the experiments and the obtained survival curves were based on the concept of additivity defined by Steel and Peckham.

Results

The results for the combination of carbon ions and both tested systemic substances TEM and GEM showed independent toxicities in all four cell lines. Supra-additive effects were observed in PLC cells for photon irradiation combined either with TEM or GEM and in HuH7 cells for the combination of photons with TEM.

Conclusion

Addition of targeted therapy substances Temsirolimus and GEM to photon irradiation showed additive cytotoxicity in HCC cell lines, whereas independent toxicities where reached by the combination of carbon ions to these substances. It can be assumed that combining 12C with systemic substances only has independent effects because heavy ions cause direct damage because of their high-LET character resulting in complex and clustered double-strand breaks. Nonetheless, further investigations are warranted in order to determine whether addition of systemic therapy allows a reduction of radiation doses in combination therapy. This could possibly lead to better responses and tolerances in patients with HCC.

Identifying prognostic intratumor heterogeneity using pre- and post-radiotherapy 18F-FDG PET images for pancreatic cancer patients

BACKGROUND

To stratify risks of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) patients using pre- and post-radiotherapy (RT) PET/CT images, and to assess the prognostic value of texture variations in predicting therapy response of patients.

METHODS

Twenty-six PA patients treated with RT from 2011-2013 with pre- and post-treatment 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans were identified. Tumor locoregional texture was calculated using 3D kernel-based approach, and texture variations were identified by fitting discrepancies of texture maps of pre- and post-treatment images. A total of 48 texture and clinical variables were identified and evaluated for association with overall survival (OS). The prognostic heterogeneity features were selected using lasso/elastic net regression, and further were evaluated by multivariate Cox analysis.

RESULTS

Median age was 69 y (range, 46-86 y). The texture map and temporal variations between pre- and post-treatment were well characterized by histograms and statistical fitting. The lasso analysis identified seven predictors (age, node stage, post-RT SUVmax, variations of homogeneity, variance, sum mean, and cluster tendency). The multivariate Cox analysis identified five significant variables: age, node stage, variations of homogeneity, variance, and cluster tendency (with P=0.020, 0.040, 0.065, 0.078, and 0.081, respectively). The patients were stratified into two groups based on the risk score of multivariate analysis with log-rank P=0.001: a low risk group (n=11) with a longer mean OS (29.3 months) and higher texture variation (>30%), and a high risk group (n=15) with a shorter mean OS (17.7 months) and lower texture variation (<15%).

CONCLUSIONS

Locoregional metabolic texture response provides a feasible approach for evaluating and predicting clinical outcomes following treatment of PA with RT. The proposed method can be used to stratify patient risk and help select appropriate treatment strategies for individual patients toward implementing response-driven adaptive RT.

Optimization of Carbon Ion Treatment Plans by Integrating Tissue Specific α/β-Values for Patients with Non-Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Background

The aim of the thesis is to improve treatment plans of carbon ion irradiation by integrating the tissues’ specific αβ-values for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

Material and Methods

Five patients with LAPC were included in this study. By the use of the treatment planning system Syngo RT Planning (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) treatment plans with carbon ion beams have been created. Dose calculation was based on αβ-values for both organs at risk (OAR) and the tumor. Twenty-five treatment plans and thirty-five forward calculations were created. With reference to the anatomy five field configurations were included. Single Beam Optimization (SBO) and Intensity Modulated Particle Therapy (IMPT) were used for optimization. The plans were analyzed with respect to both dose distributions and individual anatomy. The plans were evaluated using a customized index.

Results

With regard to the target, a field setup with one single posterior field achieves the highest score in our index. Field setups made up of three fields achieve good results in OAR sparing. Nevertheless, the field setup with one field is superior in complex topographic conditions. But, allocating an αβ-value of 2 Gy to the spinal cord leads to critical high maximum doses in the spinal cord. The evaluation of dose profiles showed significant dose peaks at borders of the αβ-gradient, especially in case of a single posterior field.

Conclusion

Optimization with specific αβ-values allows a more accurate view on dose distribution than previously. A field setup with one single posterior field achieves good results in case of difficult topographic conditions, but leads to high maximum doses to the spinal cord. So, field setups with multiple fields seem to be more adequate in case of LAPC, being surrounded by highly radiosensitive normal tissues.

CA19-9 Normalization During Pre-operative Treatment Predicts Longer Survival for Patients with Locally Progressed Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Compared to the widely adopted 2-4 months of pre-operative therapy for patients with borderline resectable (BR) or locally advanced (LA) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), our institution tends to administer a longer duration before considering surgical resection. Using this unique approach, the aim of this study was to determine pre-operative variables associated with survival.

METHODS

Records from patients with BR/LA PDAC who underwent attempt at surgical resection from 1992-2014 were reviewed.

RESULTS

After a median duration of 6 months of pre-operative treatment, 109 patients with BR/LA PDAC (BR 63, LA 46) were explored; 93 (85.3 %) underwent pancreatectomy. Those who received at least 6 months of pre-operative treatment had longer median overall survival (OS) than those who received less (52.8 vs. 32.1 months, P = 0.044). On multivariate analysis, pre-operative treatment duration was the strongest predictor of survival (hazard ratio (HR) 4.79, P = 0.043). However, OS was similar in those whose CA19-9 normalized regardless of whether they received more or less than 6 months of chemotherapy (71.4 vs. 101.8 months, P = 0.930).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative CA19-9 decline can guide treatment duration in patients with BR/LA PDAC. We endorse 6 months of therapy except in those patients whose values normalize, where surgery can be considered after a shorter course.

Optimization of carbon ion and proton treatment plans using the raster-scanning technique for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

Background

The aim of the thesis is to improve radiation plans of patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer by using carbon ion and proton beams.

Patients and methods

Using the treatment planning system Syngo RT Planning (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) a total of 50 treatment plans have been created for five patients with the dose schedule 15 × 3 Gy(RBE). With reference to the anatomy, five field configurations were considered to be relevant. The plans were analyzed with respect to dose distribution and individual anatomy, and compared using a customized index.

Results

Within the index the three-field configurations yielded the best results, though with a high variety of score points (field setup 5, carbon ion: median 74 (range 48–101)). The maximum dose in the myelon is low (e.g. case 3, carbon ion: 21.5 Gy(RBE)). A single posterior field generally spares the organs at risk, but the maximum dose in the myelon is high (e.g. case 3, carbon ion: 32.9 Gy(RBE)). Two oblique posterior fields resulted in acceptable maximum doses in the myelon (e.g. case 3, carbon ion: 26.9 Gy(RBE)). The single-field configuration and the two oblique posterior fields had a small score dispersion (carbon ion: median 66 and 58 (range 62–72 and 40–69)). In cases with topographic proximity of the organs at risk to the target volume, the single-field configuration scored as well as the three-field configurations.

Conclusion

In summary, the three-field configurations showed the best dose distributions. A single posterior field seems to be robust and beneficial in case of difficult topographical conditions and topographical proximity of organs at risk to the target volume. A setup with two oblique posterior fields is a reasonable compromise between three-field and single-field configurations.

Current State of Vascular Resections in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the Western world and, even in 2014, a therapeutic challenge. The only chance for long-term survival is radical surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy which can be performed in about 20% of all PDAC patients by the time of diagnosis. As pancreatic surgery has significantly changed during the past years, extended operations, including vascular resections, have become more frequently performed in specialized centres and the border of resectability has been pushed forward to achieve a potentially curative approach in the respective patients in combination with neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment strategies. In contrast to adjuvant treatment which has to be regarded as a cornerstone to achieve long-term survival after resection, neoadjuvant treatment strategies for locally advanced findings are currently under debate. This overview summarizes the possibilities and evidence of vascular, namely, venous and arterial, resections in PDAC surgery.

Vascular Resection in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors and represents the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths. It is associated with a poor prognosis, likely due to the tendency of the tumor for early local and distant spread. One of the major obstacles of effectively treating PDAC is the often late diagnosis. Among all options currently available for PDAC, surgical resection offers the only potential cure with 5-year survival rate of approximately 15-20 %. However, in the absence of metastatic disease, which precludes resection, assessment of vascular invasion is an important parameter for determining resectability for pancreatic cancer. The vascular involvement in patients with pancreatic carcinoma ranges between 21 and 64 %. Historically, vascular involvement has been considered a contraindication to resective cure. Meanwhile, the surgical approach of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) combined with vascular resection and reconstruction has been widely applied in clinical practice to remove the tumor completely. Therefore, vascular invasion is no longer a surgical contraindication and the rate of surgical resection has greatly increased. Moreover, PD combined with vascular resection can account for 20 to 25 % of the total cases of PD surgery in a number of the larger pancreas treatment centers. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of management and outcome of vascular resection in PDAC surgery.

FOLFIRINOX-based neoadjuvant therapy in borderline resectable or unresectable pancreatic cancer: a meta-analytical review of published studies

OBJECTIVE

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy can enable surgical resection of borderline resectable or unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the multiagent 5-fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + irinotecan + leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) regimen as a neoadjuvant treatment for PC.

METHODS

Studies in which FOLFIRINOX with or without radiotherapy was given before surgery to patients with borderline resectable or unresectable PC were analyzed using a meta-analytical approach. The primary outcomes were resection rate and radical (R0) resection rate. Data were expressed as weighted pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Thirteen studies, with a total of 253 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. After undergoing the treatment, 43% (95% CI, 32.8-53.8) of patients were resected and 39.4% (95% CI, 32.4-46.9) underwent R0 resection (85% of surgical specimens). In particular, among borderline resectable PCs, R0 resection was possible in 63.5% (95% CI, 49%-76%) of the cases. The rate of R0 resection in unresectable PCs was 22.5% (95% CI, 13.3-35.4).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis shows that down-staging after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX-based therapy is noticeable in patients with borderline resectable/unresectable PC, with a total R0 resection rate of 40%.

Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemoradiation with gemcitabine after R1 resection in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of radiation therapy and chemoradiation with gemcitabine (GEM) after R1 resection in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 25 patients who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiation (CRT) after surgery with microscopically positive resection margins for primary pancreatic cancer (PAC). Median age was 60 years (range 34 to 74 years), and there were 17 male and 8 female patients. Fractionated RT was applied with a median dose of 49.6 Gy (range 36 to 54 Gy). Eight patients received additional intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with a median dose of 12 Gy.

Results

Median overall survival (mOS) of all treated patients was 22 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.9 to 36.1 months) after date of resection and 21.1 months (95% CI 7.6 to 34.6 months) after start of (C)RT. Median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 13.0 months (95% CI 0.93 to 25 months). Grading (G2 vs. G3, P = 0.005) and gender (female vs. male, P = 0.01) were significantly correlated with OS. There was a significant difference in mPFS between male and female patients (P = 0.008). A total of 11 from 25 patients experienced local tumour progression, and 19 patients were diagnosed with either locoregional or distant failure.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that GEM-based CRT can be applied in analogy to neoadjuvant protocols in the adjuvant setting for PAC patients at high risk for disease recurrence after incomplete resection. Patients undergoing additive CRT have a rather good OS and PFS compared to historical control patient groups.

Changes in Gross Tumor Volume and Organ Motion Analysis During Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Using an In-House Analysis System

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During radiation treatment, movement of the target and organs at risks as well as tumor response can significantly influence dose distribution. This is highly relevant in patients with pancreatic cancer, where organs at risk lie in close proximity to the target.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data sets of 10 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer were evaluated. Gross tumor volume deformation was analyzed. Dose changes to organs at risk were determined with focus on kidneys both without adaptive radiotherapy compensation and with replanning based on weekly acquired computed tomography scans.

RESULTS

During irradiation, gross tumor volume changes between 0% and 26% and moves within a radius of 5 to 16 mm. Required maximal dose to organs at risk for kidneys can be met with the current practice of matching computed tomography scans during treatment and adjusting patient position accordingly. Comparison of the mean doses and V15, V20 volumes demonstrated that weekly replanning could bring a significant dose sparing of the left kidney.

CONCLUSION

Manual matching with focus on bony structures can lead to overall acceptable positioning of patients during treatment. Thus, tolerance doses of organs at risk, such as the kidneys, can be met. With adequate margins, normal tissue constraints to organs at risk can be kept as well. Adaptive radiotherapy approaches (in this case with weekly rescanning) reduced dose to organs at risk, which may be especially important for hypofractionated approaches.

The role of radiation therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PCA) is associated with high rates of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Yet despite modern treatment advances, the only curative therapy remains surgical resection. The adjuvant therapeutic standard of care for PCA in the United States includes both chemotherapy and chemoradiation; however, an optimal regimen has not been established. For patients with resectable and borderline resectable PCA, recent investigation has focused efforts on evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant therapy allows for early initiation of systemic therapy and identification of patients who harbor micrometastatic disease, thus sparing patients the potential morbidities associated with unnecessary radiation or surgery. This article critically reviews the data supporting or refuting the role of radiation therapy in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings of PCA management, with a particular focus on determining which patients may be more likely to benefit from radiation therapy.

Prognostic impact of CA 19-9 on outcome after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

To asses the impact of CA 19-9 and weight loss/gain on outcome after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

METHODS

We analyzed 289 patients with LAPC treated with CRT for LAPC. All patients received concomitant chemotherapy parallel to radiotherapy and adjuvant treatments. CA 19-9 and body weight were collected as prognostic and predictive markers. All patients were included into a regular follow-up with reassessment of resectability.

RESULTS

Median overall survival in all patients was 14 months. Actuarial overall survival was 37 % at 12 months, 12 % at 24 months, and 4 % at 36 months. Secondary resectability was achieved in 35 % of the patients. R0/R1 resection was significantly associated with increase in overall survival (p = 0.04). Intraoperative radiotherapy was applied in 50 patients, but it did not influence overall survival (p = 0.05). Pretreatment CA 19-9 significantly influenced overall survival using different cutoff values. With increase in CA 19-9 levels, the possibility of secondary surgical resection decreased from 46 % in patients with CA 19-9 levels below 90 U/ml to 31 % in the group with CA 19-9 levels higher than 269 U/ml.

DISCUSSION

This large group of patients with LAPC treated with neoadjuvant CRT confirms that CA 19-9 and body weight are strong predictive and prognostic factors of outcome. In the future, individual patient factors should be taken into account to tailor treatment.

Palliative radiation therapy in patients with metastasized pancreatic cancer - description of a rare patient group

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PAC) patients experience a high rate of locoregional recurrences and distant metastasis finally leading to their demise even after curatively-intended multidisciplinary treatment approaches including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, clinical reports on bone and brain metastases in PAC patients are extremely rare and thus timing and dose description are not well defined. Our work therefore summarizes a mono-institutional experience on the use of radiotherapy (RT) for PAC patients with metastatic disease with the aim of identifying overall survival and treatment response in this rarely reported patient group.

Method

Forty-four PAC patients with 66 metastatic lesions were treated with palliative radiotherapy (RT). Thirty-three patients (48 lesions), 7 patients (11 lesions) and 5 patients (7 lesions) with bone, liver and brain metastases analyzed respectively were analyzed; one patient had both bone and cerebral metastases and was treated for the lesions, thus including him in both subgroups. Indications for RT were pain, neurological impairment, risk of pathological fracture or imminent danger for development of any of these conditions in case of tumor progression. Median age was 64 years (range 38 to 78 years) and there were 27 male (61%) and 17 (39%) female patients. Analyses of overall survival (OS) and local control were performed. OS was calculated from the first day of RT.

Results

Median overall survival (mOS) of all patients after start of RT was 4.2 months. Survival rates after 1, 3 and 6 months were 79.3%, 55.3% and 30.3% respectively. Patients presenting with bone metastasis had a mOS of 3.1 months and after 1, 3 and 6 months, survival rates were 75.3%, 46.5% and 19.9% respectively. Symptomatic response to therapy was recorded in 85% of all evaluated patients with bone metastasis. Patients undergoing radiosurgery because of liver metastasis were locally controlled in all but one patient after a median follow-up of 8.3 months.

Conclusion

Overall survival of all patients with metastatic disease was considerably worse. A major goal for the future must be the selection of an appropriate RT treatment in terms of duration and technique for these PAC patients.

Five-year experience with setup and implementation of an integrated database system for clinical documentation and research

In radiation oncology, where treatment concepts are elaborated in interdisciplinary collaborations, handling distributed, large heterogeneous amounts of data efficiently is very important, yet challenging, for an optimal treatment of the patient as well as for research itself. This becomes a strong focus, as we step into the era of modern personalized medicine, relying on various quantitative data information, thus involving the active contribution of multiple medical specialties. Hence, combining patient data from all involved information systems is inevitable for analyses. Therefore, we introduced a documentation and data management system integrated in the clinical environment for electronic data capture. We discuss our concept and five-year experience of a precise electronic documentation system, with special focus on the challenges we encountered. We specify how such a system can be designed and implemented to plan, tailor and conduct (multicenter) clinical trials, ultimately reaching the best clinical performance, and enhancing interdisciplinary and clinical research.

First experiences with the implementation of the European standard EN 62304 on medical device software for the quality assurance of a radiotherapy unit

Background

According to the latest amendment of the Medical Device Directive standalone software qualifies as a medical device when intended by the manufacturer to be used for medical purposes. In this context, the EN 62304 standard is applicable which defines the life-cycle requirements for the development and maintenance of medical device software. A pilot project was launched to acquire skills in implementing this standard in a hospital-based environment (in-house manufacture).

Methods

The EN 62304 standard outlines minimum requirements for each stage of the software life-cycle, defines the activities and tasks to be performed and scales documentation and testing according to its criticality. The required processes were established for the pre-existent decision-support software FlashDumpComparator (FDC) used during the quality assurance of treatment-relevant beam parameters. As the EN 62304 standard implicates compliance with the EN ISO 14971 standard on the application of risk management to medical devices, a risk analysis was carried out to identify potential hazards and reduce the associated risks to acceptable levels.

Results

The EN 62304 standard is difficult to implement without proper tools, thus open-source software was selected and integrated into a dedicated development platform. The control measures yielded by the risk analysis were independently implemented and verified, and a script-based test automation was retrofitted to reduce the associated test effort. After all documents facilitating the traceability of the specified requirements to the corresponding tests and of the control measures to the proof of execution were generated, the FDC was released as an accessory to the HIT facility.

Conclusions

The implementation of the EN 62304 standard was time-consuming, and a learning curve had to be overcome during the first iterations of the associated processes, but many process descriptions and all software tools can be re-utilized in follow-up projects. It has been demonstrated that a standards-compliant development of small and medium-sized medical software can be carried out by a small team with limited resources in a clinical setting. This is of particular relevance as the upcoming revision of the Medical Device Directive is expected to harmonize and tighten the current legal requirements for all European in-house manufacturers.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation and duration of chemotherapy before surgical resection for pancreatic cancer: does time interval between radiotherapy and surgery matter?

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation and chemotherapy provided for borderline or locally advanced, potentially resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma improves resectability rates. Response to therapy is also an important prognostic factor. There are no data in the literature regarding optimal time interval or duration of chemotherapy after chemoradiation before surgery, and pathologic response rates. Using our database, we evaluated these relationships and the effect on overall and progression-free survival.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 83 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced, potentially resectable, and borderline resectable pancreatic cancers before definitive resection. We divided patients into three groups according to time interval between completion of chemoradiation and resection: group A (0-10 weeks), group B (11-20 weeks), and group C (>20 weeks). After chemoradiation, patients underwent ongoing chemotherapy before resection. Pathologic response was defined as major (>95% fibrosis), partial (50-94% fibrosis), or minor (<50% fibrosis).

RESULTS

There were 56 patients in group A, 17 patients in group B, and 10 patients in group C. Patients in groups B and C were significantly more likely to experience a major response than group A (p < 0.013). Patients in group C had significantly increased median progression-free and overall survival (p < 0.05). Multivariable classification and regression tree analysis demonstrated pathologic response to be the only significant factor in overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent a prolonged time interval after neoadjuvant chemoradiation with ongoing chemotherapy were more likely to have an improved pathologic response at time of surgical resection, which was associated with improved median overall survival.

[Multimodal oncological therapy concepts, chemotherapy and immunosuppressive drugs: effects on surgical morbidity and mortality]

Systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapies and radiotherapy for patients with malignant tumors lead to unfavorable surgical conditions with increased risks of postoperative complications. For gastric cancer and cancer of the esophagogastric junction, surgery after neoadjuvant treatment is associated with a mortality of approximately 5 %. Given the increase in metastatic surgery for colorectal carcinoma, surgeons should be aware of the specific side effects of therapeutic drugs to ensure an optimal course of treatment. The impact of chemotherapy-induced hepatic lesions on postoperative development is unclear. Bevacizumab treatment should be stopped at least 5 weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, bleeding and wound healing complications. Immunosuppressive and immunomodulating agents alter wound healing and preoperative alterations should be carefully evaluated. For patients with chronic corticosteroid therapy, perioperative supplementation should be considered when planning surgery as well as routine dosages.

Outcomes with FOLFIRINOX for borderline resectable and locally unresectable pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Trials examining FOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer demonstrate higher response rates compared to gemcitabine-based regimens. There is currently limited experience with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Retrospective review of outcomes of patients with borderline resectable or locally unresectable pancreatic cancer who were recommended to undergo neoadjuvant treatment with FOLFIRINOX.

RESULTS

FOLFIRINOX was recommended for 25 patients with pancreatic cancer, 13 (52%) unresectable and 12 (48%) borderline resectable. Four patients (16%) refused treatment or were lost to follow-up. Twenty-one patients (84%) were treated with a median of 4.7 cycles. Six patients (29%) required dose reductions secondary to toxicity. Two patients (9%) were unable to tolerate treatment and three patients (14%) had disease progression on treatment. Seven patients (33%) underwent surgical resection following treatment with FOLFIRINOX alone, 2 (10%) of which were initially unresectable. Two patients underwent resection following FOLFIRINOX + stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The R0 resection rate for patients treated with FOLFIRINOX ± SBRT was 33% (55% borderline resectable, 10% unresectable). A total of five patients (24%) demonstrated a significant pathologic response.

CONCLUSIONS

FOLFIRINOX is a biologically active regimen in borderline resectable and locally unresectable pancreatic cancer with encouraging R0 resection and pathologic response rates.

Phase I study evaluating the treatment of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with carbon ion radiotherapy: the PHOENIX-01 trial

Background

Treatment options for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer include surgery, chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. In many cases, surgical resection is not possible, and therefore treatment alternatives have to be performed. Chemoradiation has been established as a convincing treatment alternative for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Carbon ions offer physical and biological characteristics. Due to their inverted dose profile and the high local dose deposition within the Bragg peak precise dose application and sparing of normal tissue is possible. Moreover, in comparison to photons, carbon ions offer an increased relative biological effectiveness (RBE), which can be calculated between 1.16 and 2.46 depending on the pancreatic cancer cell line as well as the endpoint analyzed. Japanese Data on the evaluation of carbon ion radiation therapy showed promising results for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods and design

The present PHOENIX-01 trial evaluates carbon ion radiotherapy using the active rasterscanning technique in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in combination with weekly gemcitabine and adjuvant gemcitabine. Primary endpoint is toxicity, secondary endpoints are overall survival, progression-free survival and response.

Discussion

The physical and biological properties of the carbon ion beam promise to improve the therapeutic ratio in patients with pancreatic cancer: Due to the inverted dose profile dose deposition in the entry channel of the beam leads to sparing of normal tissue; the Bragg peak can be directed into the defined target volume, and the sharp dose fall-off thereafter again spares normal tissue behind the target volume. The higher RBE of carbon ions, which has been shown also for pancreatic cancer cell lines in the preclinical setting, is likely to contribute to an increase in local control, and perhaps in OS. Early data from Japanese centers have shown promising results. In conclusion, this is the first trial to evaluate actively delivered carbon ion beams in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer within a dose-escalation strategy.

Trial registration

NCT01795274

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreas cancer rarely leads to radiological evidence of tumour regression

BACKGROUND

Neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy has been proposed to improve resectability of locally-advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). However, the ability of neo-adjuvant therapy to induce radiological tumour regression has not been reported.

METHODS

Pre- and post-treatment computed tomography (CT) scans of patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for LAPC were reviewed. LAPC was sub-classified into borderline resectable disease [≤ 180° involvement of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA); short-segment encasement/abutment of the common hepatic artery; or tumour-associated deformity, abutment or short-segment occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV)/ portal vein (PV) that was amenable to vascular resection and reconstruction] and locally advanced un-resectable pancreatic cancer (vascular involvement more than that described for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer). The radiological response and surgical resection rates were assessed.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients received neo-adjuvant therapy for LAPC during 2005-2008. Regression of major vascular involvement, i.e. un-encasement or regression of abutment of any involved vessels was not observed in any patient. Pre- and post-treatment tumour densities were not statistically different. Fifty per cent of patients with borderline resectable disease and none of the patients with locally advanced un-resectable pancreatic cancer eventually underwent surgical resection.

CONCLUSION

Neo-adjuvant treatment does not induce radiological tumour regression of LAPC with major vascular involvement. Patient selection for neo-adjuvant trial enrollment should remain focused on borderline disease which may have a potential for surgical resection.