Systemic Inflammatory Response and Elevated Tumour Markers Predict Worse Survival in Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Prognostic Significance of CONUT Score in Elderly NSCLC

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score as a prognostic predictor in elderly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with surgical resection.

METHODS

Overall, 114 patients over 80 years old undergoing curative resection for NSCLC were retrospectively analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the capacity of immune-inflammatory markers to predict overall survival (OS). Cox-proportional hazards regression analysis was implemented to investigate prognostic markers for OS.

RESULTS

Based on ROC curves, the CONUT score was found to be the most valuable prognostic marker (area under the curve = 0.716). The high CONUT (≥2) group included 54 patients, and the low CONUT (0 or 1) group included 60 patients. The high CONUT group had poorer prognosis rates compared to the low CONUT group with regard to OS (5-year OS: 46.3% vs. 86.0%, p = 0.0006). In the multivariate data analysis, histology, lymphatic invasion, and CONUT score (hazard ratio: 4.23, p = 0.0003) were found to be exclusive and independent prognostic markers for OS.

CONCLUSION

Preoperatively, the CONUT score can be used as a novel prognostic marker in elderly NSCLC patients. CONUT evaluations can also be used to design nutritional interventions to improve patient outcomes.

A Versatile Platform to Generate Prodrugs with Rapid and Precise Albumin Hitchhiking and High Cargo Loading for Tumor-Targeted Chemotherapy

Due to its tumor homing and long serum half-life, albumin is an ideal drug carrier for chemotherapy. For endogenous albumin hitchhiking with high cargo loading, a trimeric albumin-binding domain (ABD), i.e., ABD-Tri is designed by fusing an ABD with high specificity and affinity for albumin to a self-trimerizing domain (Tri) with an additional cysteine residue. ABD-Tri is highly (40 mg L-1 ) expressed as soluble and trimeric proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Once mixed together, ABD-Tri rapidly and specifically forms a stable complex with albumin under physiological conditions without obviously changing its receptor- and cell-binding and tumor-homing properties. Maleimide-modified prodrugs are highly effectively conjugated to ABD-Tri to produce homogenous ABD-Tri-prodrugs with triple cargo loading under physiological conditions by thiol-maleimide click chemistry. Unlike the maleimide moiety, which can only mediate time- and concentration-dependent albumin binding, ABD-Tri mediated fast (within several minutes) albumin binding of drugs even at extremely low concentrations (µg mL-1 ). Compared to maleimide-modified prodrugs, ABD-Tri-prodrugs exhibit better tumor homing and greater in vivo antitumor effect, indicating that conjugation of chemical drug to ABD-Tri outperforms maleimide modification for endogenous albumin hitchhiking. The results demonstrate that ABD-Tri may serve as a novel platform to produce albumin-binding prodrugs with high cargo-loading capacity for tumor-targeted chemotherapy.

Sequential high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment combined with chemotherapy for inoperable pancreatic cancer: a retrospective analysis for prognostic factors and survival outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) therapy on the survival and prognosis of patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer, and the clinical application of serological prognostic indicators.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features, laboratory tests and follow-ups of 192 patients. Among the patients, 57 were treated with HIFU prior to chemotherapy (HIFU-priority), and 135 patients received chemotherapy followed by HIFU (HIFU-second). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the prognostic value of tumor inflammation-related serological markers. A nomogram model was established based on the identified prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that receiving the treatment regimen in HIFU-priority was a significant protective factor for overall survival (OS, p < 0.001). Tumor stage, high C-reactive protein (CRP), high gamma-glutamyl transferase(γGT) high carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), high lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and liver metastasis were significant risk factors for poor prognosis (p < 0.05). CRP combined with normal tumor marker CA125 (CRP + CA125) was associated with longer OS (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis shows that HIFU-priority is a protective factor for OS (Hazard Ratio, HR: 0.38; 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.25-0.57), tumor stage (HR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.12-2.31), CRP + CA125 (HR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.02-2.08) and γGT (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04-1.98) are risk factors for OS and serve as independent prognostic factors in the nomogram.

CONCLUSION

Early application of HIFU treatment improves the OS of patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. CRP + CA125 and γGT are independent prognostic factors.

The possible dual role of Ang-2 in the prognosis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) features a dense desmoplastic stroma, which raises the intratumoral interstitial pressure leading to vascular collapse and hypoxia, inducing angiogenesis. Vascular growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), increase in PDAC. A high VEGF and a high circulating Ang-2 associate with shorter survival in PDAC. In addition to the circulatory Ang-2, PDAC endothelial and epithelial cells express Ang-2. No correlation between tumor epithelial nor endothelial cell Ang-2 expression and survival has been published. We aimed to examine Ang-2 expression and survival. This study comprised PDAC surgical patients at Helsinki University Hospital in 2000-2013. Ang-2 immunohistochemistry staining was completed on 168 PDAC patient samples. Circulating Ang-2 levels were measured using ELISA in the sera of 196 patients. Ang-2 levels were assessed against clinical data and patient outcomes. A low tumor epithelial Ang-2 expression predicted shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) compared with a high expression (p = 0.003). A high serum Ang-2 associated with shorter DSS compared with a low circulating Ang-2 (p = 0.016). Ang-2 seemingly plays a dual role in PDAC survival. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms causing tumor cell Ang-2 expression and its positive association with survival.

Pancreatic cancer survival prediction via inflammatory serum markers

BACKGROUND

For prognostic evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the only well-established serum marker is carbohydrate antigen CA19-9. To improve the accuracy of survival prediction, we tested the efficacy of inflammatory serum markers.

METHODS

A preoperative serum panel comprising 48 cytokines plus high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) was analyzed in 173 stage I-III PDAC patients. Analysis of the effect of serum markers on survival utilized the Cox regression model, with the most promising cytokines chosen with the aid of the lasso method. We formed a reference model comprising age, gender, tumor stage, adjuvant chemotherapy status, and CA19-9 level. Our prognostic study model incorporated these data plus hs-CRP and the cytokines. We constructed time-dependent ROC curves and calculated an integrated time-averaged area under the curve (iAUC) for both models from 1 to 10 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Hs-CRP and the cytokines CTACK, MIF, IL-1β, IL-3, GRO-α, M-CSF, and SCF, were our choices for the prognostic study model, in which the iAUC was 0.837 (95% CI 0.796-0.902), compared to the reference model's 0.759 (95% CI 0.691-0.836, NS). These models divided the patients into two groups based on the maximum value of Youden's index at 7.5 years. In our study model, 60th percentile survival times were 4.5 (95% CI 3.7-NA) years (predicted high-survival group, n = 34) and 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.7) years (predicted low-survival group, n = 128), log rank p < 0.001. By the reference model, the 60th percentile survival times were 2.8 (95% CI 2.1-4.4) years (predicted high-survival group, n = 44) and 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.7) years (predicted low-survival group, n = 118), log rank p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

Hs-CRP and the seven cytokines added to the reference model including CA19-9 are potential prognostic factors for improved survival prediction for PDAC patients.

Prognostic value of serum CEA and CA19‑9 levels in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The present study investigated the associations of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels with clinicopathological variables and survival outcomes in Libyan patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The clinicopathological variables of 123 patients with PDAC registered at the National Cancer Institute in Misurata, Libya, between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Blood samples from these patients were analyzed for serum CEA and CA19-9 levels before treatment by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (double antibody sandwich ELISA) on a Roche cobas e 602 modules. The relationships between CA19-9 and CEA serum levels with clinicopathologic variables and survival outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox regression analyzes. Cut-off values for serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were 5 ng/ml and 400 U/ml, respectively. The median serum levels of all patients with PDAC for CEA and CA19-9 were 8 ng/ml (1.1-377 ng/ml) and 389 U/ml (1-10,050 U/ml), respectively. Tumors with higher serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were found in 63 and 48% of patients, respectively. Higher CEA and CA19-9 serum levels were significantly associated with more indicators of a malignant phenotype, including a surgically unresectable tumor, unevaluable lymph nodes, advanced stages and distant metastases. Regarding survival, patients with higher serum levels of the biomarkers CEA and CA19-9 had shorter overall survival rates (P<0.016 and (P<0.014, log-rank, respectively) and lower disease-free survival rates (P<0.002 and P<0.0001, log-rank, respectively). The present study demonstrated significant clinical and prognostic value of serum levels of biomarkers CEA and CA19-9 for Libyan patients with PDAC. Moreover, patients with PDAC with higher serum CEA and CA19-9 levels had more aggressive tumors, higher rates of disease recurrence and shorter overall survival rates and thus required more vigilant follow-up. Further multinational studies with larger PDAC cohorts are warranted to confirm these findings in terms of improved clinical decision making, more effective management and improved survival.

Targeting Tumor Cells Overexpressing the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 3 with Potent Drug Conjugates Based on Affibody Molecules

Increasing evidence suggests that therapy targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) could be a viable route for targeted cancer therapy. Here, we studied a novel drug conjugate, ZHER3-ABD-mcDM1, consisting of a HER3-targeting affibody molecule, coupled to the cytotoxic tubulin polymerization inhibitor DM1, and an albumin-binding domain for in vivo half-life extension. ZHER3-ABD-mcDM1 showed a strong affinity to the extracellular domain of HER3 (KD 6 nM), and an even stronger affinity (KD 0.2 nM) to the HER3-overexpressing pancreatic carcinoma cell line, BxPC-3. The drug conjugate showed a potent cytotoxic effect on BxPC-3 cells with an IC50 value of 7 nM. Evaluation of a radiolabeled version, [99mTc]Tc-ZHER3-ABD-mcDM1, showed a relatively high rate of internalization, with a 27% internalized fraction after 8 h. Further in vivo evaluation showed that it could target BxPC-3 (pancreatic carcinoma) and DU145 (prostate carcinoma) xenografts in mice, with an uptake peaking at 6.3 ± 0.4% IA/g at 6 h post-injection for the BxPC-3 xenografts. The general biodistribution showed uptake in the liver, lung, salivary gland, stomach, and small intestine, organs known to express murine ErbB3 naturally. The results from the study show that ZHER3-ABD-mcDM1 is a highly potent and selective drug conjugate with the ability to specifically target HER3 overexpressing cells. Further pre-clinical and clinical development is discussed.

The expression and prognostic value of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pancreatic cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy

OBJECTIVES

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in the immune system and carcinogenesis. There is no research on TLR expression and association with survival among preoperatively treated pancreatic cancer patients. We studied the expression intensity and prognostic value of TLRs in pancreatic cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and compared the results to patients undergoing upfront surgery (US).

METHOD

Between 2000 and 2015, 71 borderline resectable patients were treated with NAT and surgery and 145 resectable patients underwent upfront surgery at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. We immunostained TLRs 1-5, 7, and 9 on sections of tissue-microarray. We classified TLR expression as 0 (negative), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (strong) and divided into high (2-3) and low (0-1) expression for statistical purposes.

RESULTS

Among TLRs 1, 3, and 9 (TLR1 81% vs 70%, p = 0.008; TLR3 92% vs 68%, p = 0.001; TLR9 cytoplasmic 83% vs 42%, p<0.001; TLR9 membranous 53% vs 25%, p = 0.002) NAT patients exhibited a higher immunopositivity score more frequently than patients undergoing upfront surgery. Among NAT patients, a high expression of TLR1 [Hazards ratio (HR) 0.48, p<0.05] associated with a longer postoperative survival, whereas among US patients, high expression of TLR5 (HR 0.64, p<0.05), TLR7 (HR 0.59, p<0.01, and both TLR7 and TLR9 (HR 0.5, p<0.01) predicted a favorable postoperative outcome in separate analysis adjusted for background variables.

CONCLUSIONS

We found higher immunopositive intensities among TLRs 1, 3, and 9 in NAT patients. A high TLR1 expression associated with a longer survival among NAT patients, however, among US patients, high expression intensity of TLR5 and TLR7 predicted a favorable postoperative outcome in the adjusted analysis.

The clinical significance of perioperative inflammatory index as a prognostic factor for patients with retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma

BACKGROUND

The prognostic factors of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have been explored but not yet certain. This study evaluated the prognostic impact of various preoperative clinical parameters and inflammatory indices in primary STS, with a particular focus on the transition of inflammatory index before and after tumor resection in de-differentiated liposarcoma (DD-LPS).

METHODS

The clinical data of 113 patients with primary retroperitoneal STS receiving tumor resection were reviewed. Six variables (neutrophils, platelets, C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocytes, albumin, and hemoglobin) in the blood samples were measured and nine inflammatory indices (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP-lymphocyte ratio (CLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-albumin ratio (NAR), CRP-albumin ratio (CAR), platelet-albumin ratio (PAR), HALP (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet), prognostic nutrition index (PNI), and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS)) were calculated. The prognostic value of the indices was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Elevated NLR, CLR, PLR, NAR, CAR, PAR, and mGPS were associated with a worse overall survival (p = 0.0124, 0.0011, 0.049, 0.0047, 0.0085, 0.0332, and 0.0086, respectively) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated CLR and DD-LPS were associated with poor overall survival (p = 0.0267 and 0.0218, respectively) in all retroperitoneal STS. In DD-LPD, patients with preoperative high CLR, whose postoperative CLR was normalized, demonstrated a favorable survival rate similar to those with preoperative low CLR.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated CLR before surgery as well as DD-LPS were poor prognostic markers for overall survival in primary retroperitoneal STS. Perioperative CLR normalization may be related to a favorable prognosis in DD-LPS.

Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 Expression in a Tumour Predicts a Favourable Prognosis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a significant cause of cancer-related death globally, and, despite improvements in diagnostics and treatment, survival remains poor. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in stroma remodelling in inflammation and cancer. MMP-8 plays a varied prognostic role in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. We examined the prognostic value of MMP-8 immunoexpression in tumour tissue and the amount of MMP-8-positive polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in PDAC and their association with immune responses using C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of systemic inflammation. Tumour samples from 141 PDAC patients undergoing surgery in 2002−2011 at the Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital were stained immunohistochemically, for which we evaluated MMP-8 expression in cancer cells and the amount of MMP-8-positive PMNs. We assessed survival using the Kaplan−Meier analysis while uni- and multivariable analyses relied on the Cox proportional hazards model. A negative MMP-8 stain and elevated CRP level predicted a poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.69−17.93; p < 0.001) compared to a positive stain and low CRP level (<10 mg/L). The absence of PMNs together with an elevated CRP level also predicted an unfavourable outcome (HR = 3.17; 95% CI 1.60−6.30; p = 0.001). MMP-8 expression in the tumour served as an independent positive prognostic factor (HR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.16−0.68; p = 0.003). Tumour MMP-8 expression and a low CRP level may predict a favourable outcome in PDAC with similar results for MMP-8-positive PMNs and low CRP levels. Tumoural MMP-8 expression represents an independent positive prognostic factor in PDAC.

A Propensity-Matched Analysis of the Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism Rate After Pancreatoduodenectomy Based on Operative Approach

BACKGROUND

The use of minimally invasive approaches for pancreatoduodenectomy has increased in recent years, but the risk of postoperative VTE is undefined. We aimed to compare venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates after open and minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy using an administrative dataset.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program targeted pancreatectomy database (2016-2018) were identified. VTE was compared between patients who underwent open or minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy directly and after propensity score matching 1:1 for demographics, comorbidities, and peri-/intra-operative factors.

RESULTS

A total of 12,227 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy during the study period (open: n = 11,217; minimally invasive: n = 1010). Before matching, the VTE rate was higher among patients who underwent minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (5.2% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.033), and minimally invasive resection was independently associated with VTE (OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.09-2.06). After matching, there were 916 patients per group without differences in demographics or comorbidities. Patients who underwent minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy had longer median operative times (422 vs. 348 min). The VTE rate remained higher following minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy after matching (5.1% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.018), mainly driven by a higher DVT rate (3.9% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy is associated with a higher postoperative VTE rate compared to open pancreatoduodenectomy.

Pancreatic fibrosis, acinar atrophy and chronic inflammation in surgical specimens associated with survival in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most lethal malignancies, is increasing in incidence. However, the stromal reaction pathophysiology and its role in PDAC development remain unknown. We, therefore, investigated the potential role of histological chronic pancreatitis findings and chronic inflammation on surgical PDAC specimens and disease-specific survival (DSS).

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2016, we retrospectively enrolled 236 PDAC patients treated with curative-intent pancreatic surgery at Helsinki University Hospital. All pancreatic transection margin slides were re-reviewed and histological findings were evaluated applying international guidelines.

RESULTS

DSS among patients with no fibrosis, acinar atrophy or chronic inflammation identified on pathology slides was significantly better than DSS among patients with fibrosis, acinar atrophy and chronic inflammation [median survival: 41.8 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 26.0-57.6 vs. 20.6 months, 95% CI 10.3-30.9; log-rank test p = 0.001]. Multivariate analysis revealed that Ca 19-9 > 37 kU/l [hazard ratio (HR) 1.48, 95% CI 1.02-2.16], lymph node metastases N1-2 (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.16-2.52), tumor size > 30 mm (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.08), the combined effect of fibrosis and acinar atrophy (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.27-2.88) and the combined effect of fibrosis, acinar atrophy and chronic inflammation (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.03-2.58) independently served as unfavorable prognostic factors for DSS. However, we observed no significant associations between tumor size (> 30 mm) and the degree of perilobular fibrosis (p = 0.655), intralobular fibrosis (p = 0.587), acinar atrophy (p = 0.584) or chronic inflammation (p = 0.453).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the pancreatic stroma is associated with PDAC patients' DSS. Additionally, the more severe the fibrosis, acinar atrophy and chronic inflammation, the worse the impact on DSS, thereby warranting further studies investigating stroma-targeted therapies.

TATI, TAT-2, and CRP as Prognostic Factors in Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with an obvious need for more accurate prognostics. Previous studies identified C-reactive protein (CRP) as a prognostic serum biomarker for colorectal cancer, whereas the biomarkers tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) and tumor-associated trypsin-2 (TAT-2) are less well-known prognostic factors. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the prognostic role of these biomarkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our cohort consisted of 219 women and 274 men who underwent colorectal cancer surgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital from 1998 through 2005. Serum and plasma samples were collected before surgery, aliquoted, stored at -80°C, and then analyzed using high-sensitivity methods with commercially available time-resolved immunofluorometric assay kits.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, CRP (HR 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-2.23; p = 0.001), TATI (HR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.13-3.08; p = 0.014), and TAT-2 (HR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.13-2.06; p = 0.006) were significant prognostic biomarkers across the entire cohort. In subgroup analyses, TATI and TAT-2 represented significant negative prognostic factors among patients older than 66, while patients with left-sided disease, a high serum TAT-2, or a high plasma CRP experienced worse prognosis. None of the biomarkers emerged as important in the disease stage subgroup analysis nor did they serve as independent factors in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

TATI and TAT-2 as well as CRP significantly, but not independently, served as prognostic factors in our cohort of colorectal cancer patients. Further research is needed to fully understand their clinical role in colorectal cancer.

Clinical importance of preoperative red-cell volume distribution width as a prognostic marker in patients undergoing radical surgery for pancreatic cancer

Background and purpose

A new noninvasive biomarker is being sought to predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Red-cell volume distribution width (RDW), a descriptive parameter for erythrocyte variation, has been shown to have prognostic value for some tumor types. Our purpose was to assess the RDW value to predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods

The subjects of this retrospective study were 792 patients who underwent radical surgery for pancreatic cancer, divided into high-RDW and low-RDW groups based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (15.6%). The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score was used to assess preoperative nutritional status. Statistical analysis was conducted to investigate the differences between the high and low RDW groups, and to explore the possibility of the RDW being used as prognostic predictor for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Results

The immune-nutritional status was worse in the high-RDW group than in the low-RDW group. The high-RDW group patients also had a poorer prognosis. Risk factor analysis showed that the RDW could be an independent risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions

The RDW is associated with immune-nutritional status in pancreatic cancer patients and can be used as an independent prognostic factor for their postoperative survival.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00595-021-02374-7.

Inflammatory Biomarker Score Identifies Patients with Six-Fold Increased Risk of One-Year Mortality after Pancreatic Cancer

Simple Summary

For 20 years, the CA 19-9 blood test has been the only broadly used biomarker of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We lack easily available biomarkers to help differentiate patients between good, intermediate and poor survivors at the time of PDAC diagnosis. Using one of the largest studies of patients with PDAC, we found that a simple combination of blood tests, namely CRP, CA 19-9 and IL-6, into a single biomarker score was a better marker of one-year survival than the currently recommended CA 19-9 alone or any other combination of the four inflammatory biomarkers examined (CRP, CA 19-9, IL-6 and YKL-40). However, since this is the first study examining this inflammatory biomarker score, future validation studies are needed. Moreover, CRP outperformed CA 19-9 in the majority of patients, thus questioning the routine use of CA 19-9 in patients with PDAC.

Abstract

We examined whether elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and YKL-40, individually or combined, can identify poor survivors among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We measured CRP, CA 19-9, IL-6 and YKL-40 in 993 patients at the time of PDAC diagnosis. The biomarker score was the sum of biomarker categories, coded 0, 1 and 2 for low, intermediate and high plasma concentrations, respectively. High vs. low levels of CRP, CA 19-9 and IL-6 were each independently associated with a two-fold increased risk of one-year mortality. CRP performed best in patients with advanced and CA 19-9 in patients with low cancer stages. YKL-40 was not associated with mortality and, therefore, was not included in the biomarker score. Compared to the biomarker score = 0, the multifactorially adjusted hazard ratios for one-year mortality were 1.56 (95% confidence interval: 0.99–2.44) for score = 1, 2.22 (1.41–3.49) for score = 2, 3.44 (2.20–5.38) for score = 3, 5.13 (3.21–8.17) for score = 4 and 6.32 (3.84–10.41) for score = 5–6 (p-value for trend = 3 × 10⁻³¹). This score performed better than any single biomarker or combination of biomarkers when examined in similarly sized or other categories. In conclusion, a combination score of elevated CRP, CA 19-9 and IL-6 identified patients with six-fold higher one-year mortality.

The Relationship between the Tissue Expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7 and Systemic Inflammatory Responses in Colorectal Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy globally. CRC patients with elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels exhibit compromised prognoses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), activating the innate and adaptive immune systems, may contribute to pro- and antitumorigenic inflammatory responses. We aimed to identify a possible link between local and systemic inflammatory responses in CRC patients by investigating the association between tissue TLRs and plasma CRP.

METHODS

Tissue expressions of TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7 were assessed using immunohistochemistry of tissue microarray slides from 549 CRC patients surgically treated between 1998 and 2005. Blood samples were drawn preoperatively, centrifuged, aliquoted, and stored at -80°C until analysis. Plasma CRP was determined through high-sensitivity time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. We investigated the association of TLRs to clinicopathologic variables, plasma CRP, and survival.

RESULTS

High TLR2 expression (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.85; p = 0.005), high TLR5 expression (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.45-0.83; p = 0.002), positive TLR7 expression (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.33-0.72; p < 0.001), and low CRP (HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.08-2.11; p = 0.017) were associated with a better prognosis. A high TLR2 immunoexpression was associated with a better prognosis among low-CRP patients (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.35-0.80; p = 0.002), high TLR4 expression among high-CRP patients (HR 2.04; 95% CI 1.04-4.00; p = 0.038), high TLR5 expression among low-CRP patients (HR 0.059; 95% CI 0.37-0.92; p = 0.021), and positive TLR7 expression among low-CRP patients (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.28-1.00; p = 0.049). In multivariate analyses, no biomarkers emerged as significant independent variables.

CONCLUSIONS

High tissue TLR2, TLR5, and TLR7 levels were associated with a better prognosis. Among low-CRP patients, those with high TLR2, TLR5, and TLR7 immunoexpressions exhibited a better prognosis. Among high CRP patients, a high TLR4 immunoexpression was associated with a better prognosis.

Changes in CRP and CA19-9 during Preoperative Oncological Therapy Predict Postoperative Survival in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Tumor and systemic inflammatory markers predict survival. This retrospective study aimed to explore the changes in CRP, CA19-9, and other routine laboratory tests during preoperative oncological therapy as prognostic factors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2016, 68 borderline resectable PDAC patients received preoperative oncological therapy and underwent subsequent surgery at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. We investigated changes in CRP, CA19-9, CEA, albumin, leukocytes, bilirubin, and platelets and examined the impact on survival.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, CRP remaining at ≥3 mg/L after preoperative oncological therapy predicted a poorer postoperative outcome when compared to CRP decreasing to or remaining at <3 mg/L (hazard ratio [HR] 2.766, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.300-5.885, p = 0.008). Furthermore, a CA19-9 decrease >90% during preoperative treatment predicted a favorable postoperative outcome (HR 0.297, 95% CI: 0.124-0.708, p = 0.006). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median survival for patients with CRP remaining at <3 mg/L was longer than among patients with an increased CRP level at ≥3 mg/L (42 months vs. 24 months, p = 0.001). Patients with a CA19-9 decrease >90% or level normalization (to ≤37 kU/L) during preoperative treatment exhibited a median survival of 47 months; those with a 50-90% decrease, 15 months; and those with a <50% decrease, 17 months (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in CRP and CA19-9 during preoperative oncological therapy predict postoperative survival.

Pancreatic cancer is associated with aberrant monocyte function and successive differentiation into macrophages with inferior anti-tumour characteristics

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Inflammation is related to the development and progression of pancreatic cancer (PC). Locally, anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2), and systemically, high levels of certain inflammation-modulating cytokines associate with poor prognosis in PC. The detailed effects of systemic inflammation on circulating monocytes and macrophage polarisation remain unknown. We aimed to find out how intracellular signalling of peripheral blood monocytes is affected by the systemic inflammatory state in PC patients and how it affects their differentiation into macrophages.

METHODS

Monocytes were isolated from 50 consenting PC patients and 20 healthy controls (HC). The phosphorylation status of the signalling molecules was assessed by flow cytometry both from unstimulated and appropriately stimulated monocytes. Monocytes derived from HC and PC patients were co-cultured with cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2 and HPAF-II) in media supplemented with autologous serum, and the CD marker expression of the obtained macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Phosphorylation levels of unstimulated STAT2, STAT3 and STAT6 were higher (p < 0.05) and those of stimulated NF-kB (p = 0.004) and STAT5 (p = 0.006) were lower in patients than in controls. The expression of CD86, a proinflammatory (M1) marker, was higher in control- than patient-derived co-cultured macrophages (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating monocytes from PC patients showed constitutive phosphorylation and weaker response to stimuli, indicating aberrant activation and immune suppression. When co-culturing the patient-derived monocytes with cancer cells, they differentiated into macrophages with reduced levels of M1 macrophage marker CD86, suggesting compromised anti-tumour features. The results highlight the need for global management of tumour-associated immune aberrations in PC treatment.

Combining CRP and CA19-9 in a novel prognostic score in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Inflammation promotes tumor progression, induces invasion and metastatic spread. This retrospective study explored CRP, CA19-9, and routine laboratory values as preoperative prognostic factors in pancreatic cancer patients. Between 2000 and 2016, there were 212 surgically treated pancreatic cancer patients at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Out of these, 76 borderline resectable patients were treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT); 136 upfront resected patients were matched for age and sex at a 1:2 ratio. We analyzed preoperative CRP, CA19-9, CEA, leukocytes, albumin, bilirubin and platelets. CRP and CA19-9 were combined into a prognostic score: both CRP and CA19-9 below the cut-off values (3 mg/l and 37 kU/l, respectively), either CRP or CA19-9 above the cut-off value, and finally, both CRP and CA19-9 above the cut-off values. Among all patients, median disease-specific survival times were 54, 27 and 16 months, respectively (p < 0.001). At 5 years, among patients with CRP and CA19-9 levels below the cut-off values, 49% were alive and 45% were disease-free. Among NAT patients the corresponding survival rates were 52% and 45% and among those undergoing upfront surgery 45% and 40%, respectively. This novel prognostic score combining CRP and CA19-9 serves as a useful preoperative tool estimating survival.

Prognostic impact of serum procalcitonin in non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Increased serum procalcitonin (PCT), a well-known biomarker for sepsis, has been reported in several cancer types. We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of PCT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Medical records of 51 consecutive patients with NSCLC (Aichi Medical University Hospital) admitted between July 2017 and July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into PCT-low (PCT < 0.1 ng/mL) and PCT-high (PCT ⩾ 0.1 ng/mL) groups, and their clinical characteristics and survival were compared.

RESULTS

In contrast to the PCT-low group (n = 24), the PCT-high group (n = 27) showed significantly worse Performance Status (PS) and overall survival (OS) (PS 0-2/3-4, 16/8 versus 12/15, p = 0.034; median OS, not reached versus 127 days, p < 0.001), irrespective of the presence of infection (p = 0.785). Multivariate analysis showed that the disease stage (IV versus I-III) and high PCT level (⩾0.1 versus <0.1 ng/mL) were significantly worse prognostic factors with hazard ratios of 3.706 (p = 0.023) and 3.951 (p = 0.010), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that serum PCT in NSCLC was elevated regardless of the presence of infection. Higher PCT levels are associated with poor PS and shorter OS in NSCLC.

Lymphocyte-C-reactive Protein Ratio as Promising New Marker for Predicting Surgical and Oncological Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Systemic inflammation via host-tumor interactions is currently recognized as a hallmark of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of various combinations of inflammatory factors using preoperative blood, and to assess the clinical significance of our newly developed inflammatory score in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

METHOD

In total 477 CRC patients from the discovery and validation cohorts were enrolled in this study. We assessed the predictive impact for recurrence using a combination of nine inflammatory markers in the discovery set, and focused on lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) to elucidate its prognostic and predictive value for peri-operative risk in both cohorts.

RESULTS

A combination of lymphocytic count along with C-reactive protein levels demonstrated the highest correlation with recurrence compared with other parameters in CRC patients. Lower levels of preoperative LCR significantly correlated with undifferentiated histology, advanced T stage, presence of lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and advanced stage classification. Decreased preoperative LCR (using an optimal cut-off threshold of 6000) was an independent prognostic factor for both disease-free survival and overall survival, and emerged as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and surgical-site infections in CRC patients. Finally, we assessed the clinical feasibility of LCR in an independent validation cohort, and confirmed that decreased preoperative LCR was an independent prognostic factor for both disease-free survival and overall survival, and was an independent predictor for postoperative complications and surgical-site infections in CRC patients.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative LCR is a useful marker for perioperative and postoperative management of CRC patients.

Label-free proteomics reveals serum proteins whose levels differ between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients with short or long survival

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer, with a 5-year survival rate that is less than 10%. New biomarkers to aid in predicting the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients are needed. Previous proteomic studies have to a great extent focused on finding proteins of value for the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. There is a lack of studies that have profiled the serum or plasma proteome in order to discover candidates for new prognostic biomarkers. In this study, we have used ultra-performance liquid chromatography-ultra-definition mass spectrometry to analyze the serum samples of 21 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients with short or long survival. Statistical analysis discovered 31 proteins whose expression differed significantly between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients with short or long survival. Pathway analysis discovered multiple canonical pathways enriched in this data set, with several pathways having roles in inflammation and lipid metabolism. The serum proteins identified here, which include complement components and several enzymes, could be of value as candidates for new noninvasive prognostic markers.

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) and tumor-associated trypsin-2 (TAT-2) predict outcomes in gastric cancer

Introduction: Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) limits serine proteases, promotes carcinogenesis in several cancers and functions as an acute-phase reactant. Tumor-associated trypsin-2 (TAT-2), a proteolytic target enzyme for TATI, can enhance invasion by promoting extracellular matrix degradation. Here, we aimed to study serum TATI and TAT-2 levels, including the TAT-2/TATI ratio, as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in gastric cancer. We compared the results with the plasma level of C-reactive protein (CRP).Material and Methods: We selected 240 individuals operated on for gastric adenocarcinoma at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, between 2000 and 2009. We determined the preoperative serum TAT-2, TATI and plasma CRP levels using time-resolved immunofluorometric assays using monoclonal antibodies.Results: The medium serum TAT-2 level was higher among gastric cancer patients [8.68 ng/ml; interquartile range (IQR) 5.93-13.2] than among benign controls (median 5.41 ng/ml; IQR 4.12-11.8; p = .005). Five-year survival among patients with a high serum TAT-2 was 22.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.7-34.1], compared to 52.2% (95% CI 44.6-59.8; p < .001) among those with a low level. The five-year survival among patients with a high serum TATI was 30.6% (95% CI 20.4-40.8), compared to 52.9% (95% CI 44.7-61.1; p < .001) among those with a low level. The serum TATI level remained significant in the multivariable survival analysis (hazard ratio 2.01; 95% CI 1.32-3.07). An elevated plasma CRP level associated with a high serum TATI level (p = .037).Conclusions: This study shows for the first time that a high serum TAT-2 may function as a prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer and that TAT-2 levels may be elevated compared to controls. Additionally, we show that the prognosis is worse among gastric cancer patients with a high serum TATI. These biomarkers serve as prognostic factors particularly among patients with a metastatic or a locally advanced disease.

Association between local immune cell infiltration, mismatch repair status and systemic inflammatory response in colorectal cancer

Background

Systemic inflammatory response in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been established as a prognostic factor for impaired cancer-specific survival, predominantly in patients with right-sided tumors. On the other hand, defective mismatch repair (dMMR) tumors, primarily located in the right colon, are known to have favorable survival and dense local immune infiltration. The aim of this study was to see if there is any form of relationship between these seemingly diverse entities.

Methods

Complete clinical and long-term survival data were retrieved for 316 CRC patients operated at Helsinki University Hospital between the years 1998 and 2003. Tissue microarrays were prepared from surgical specimens and further processed and analyzed for local immune cell infiltration using multispectral imaging with a Vectra quantitative pathology imaging system and Inform software. Multiplex immunohistochemistry was applied using antibodies against CD66b, CD8, CD20, FoxP3, CD68 and pan-Cytokeratin. After exclusions, data on immune infiltration were available for 275 patients. Mismatch repair status was determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

CRP was seen to be an independent predictor of cancer-specific survival but not overall survival in uni- and multivariable (HR 1.01 (1.00–1.02); p = 0.028) analyses of non-irradiated patients. There was no significant difference in CRP according to mismatch repair status, but all cases (n = 10) with CRP ≥ 75 mg/l had proficient mismatch repair (pMMR). There was a significant negative correlation between intratumor stromal infiltration by T-regulatory FOXP3⁺ cells and CRP (p = 0.006). There was significantly lower intratumor stromal infiltration by FOXP3⁺ cells (p = 0.043) in the right colon compared to the rectum, but no significant difference in CRP (p = 0.44). CRP was not a predictor of overall survival (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.01) nor cancer-specific survival in irradiated patients (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.94–1.02).

Conclusions

There was a significant negative relationship between SIR, defined as an elevated CRP, and intratumor stromal infiltration by T-regulatory FOXP3⁺cells. This and the fact that all cases with a CRP > 75 mg/l had pMMR suggests that SIR and dMMR are independent entities in CRC. Indeed, the general lack of difference in CRP between cases with dMMR and pMMR may be evidence of overlap in cases with a less pronounced SIR.

Fatores prognósticos pré-operatórios em pacientes com adenocarcinoma ductal da cabeça do pâncreas

RESUMO Objetivos: Identificar fatores prognósticos pré-operatórios relacionados à sobrevida de pacientes com adenocarcinoma ductal da cabeça de pâncreas (ADCP) submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico com intenção curativa em uma única instituição brasileira. Método: No período de 2005 a 2018, dados clinicodemográficos e laboratoriais pré-operatórios foram prospectivamente coletados. A análise de sobrevida foi feita pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e a comparação entre as curvas pelo teste de log-rank. Para a análise multivariada utilizou-se o modelo de regressão de Cox. Resultados: Os fatores pré-operatórios com impacto significativo na sobrevida à análise univariada foram a idade maior ou igual a 70 anos (p=0,012) e história pessoal prévia positiva para câncer (p=0,026). A análise multivariada, pacientes com níveis séricos pré-operatórios de CA 19.9 de 38 a 554 U/ml apresentaram 3,15 vezes maior chance de óbito (HR 3,15; IC 95% 1,01 - 9,82; p=0,047), enquanto que os pacientes com o marcador acima de 554 U/ml evoluíram com chance 3,96 vezes maior de óbito que aqueles com a dosagem normal (HR 3,96; IC 95% 1,19 - 13,10; p=0,024). Pacientes com comorbidades prévias evoluíram com chance 2,90 vezes superior de óbito que doentes sem condições associadas (HR 2,90; IC 95% 1,10 - 7,67; p=0,032). Conclusão: O ADCP mostrou ser doença agressiva para a qual os fatores pré-operatórios de pior prognóstico foram idade avançada, presença de comorbidades, história prévia de câncer e nível sérico de CA 19.9 elevado no pré-operatório.

A novel scoring system predicting survival benefits of palliative primary tumor resection for patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer: A retrospective cohort study protocol

The role of palliative primary tumor resection (PPTR) in improving survival in patients with synchronous unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether our novel scoring system could predict survival benefits of PPTR in mCRC patients.In this retrospective cohort study consecutive patients with synchronous mCRC and unresectable metastases admitted to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between January 2005 and December 2013 were identified. A scoring system was established by the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Patients with scores of 0, 1-2, or 3-4 were considered as being in the low, intermediate, and high score group, respectively. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS).A total of 138 eligible patients were included in the analysis, of whom 103 patients had undergone PPTR and 35 had not. The median OS of the PPTR group was better than that of the Non-PPTR group, with 26.2 and 18.9 months, respectively (P < .01). However, the subgroup of PPTR with a high score (3-4) showed no OS benefit (13.3 months) compared with that of the Non-PPTR group (18.9 months, P = .11). The subgroup of PPTR with a low score (52.1 months) or intermediate score (26.2 months) had better OS than that of the Non-PPTR group (P < .001, P = .017, respectively).A novel scoring system composed of CEA, CA19-9, NLR, and LDH values is a feasible method to evaluate whether mCRC patients would benefit from PPTR. It might guide clinical decision making in selecting patients with unresectable mCRC for primary tumor resection.

Systemic prognostic score and nomogram based on inflammatory, nutritional and tumor markers predict cancer-specific survival in stage II-III gastric cancer patients with adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical utility of several established inflammatory, nutritional and tumor markers, and to construct a new scoring system based on preoperative prognostic markers to predict outcomes in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

We retrospectively assessed 688 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II-III GC from 2000 to 2012.

RESULTS

On multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio (>0.2), prognostic nutritional index (PNI) (score 1), preoperative body weight loss (>6%) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) (>27 U/mL) independently predicted unfavorable cancer-specific survival (CSS). These 4 preoperative prognostic markers were allocated 1 point each. Then, a new systemic prognostic score (SPS) was constructed based on the total score. Multivariate analysis revealed that SPS was an independent predictor of CSS (P < 0.001). Patients with a SPS of 0, 1, 2, or 3/4 had a 5-year CSS rates of 67.2%, 45.3%, 29.0%, and 10.6%, respectively (0 vs. 1 [P < 0.001], 1 vs. 2 [P = 0.031] and 2 vs. 3/4 [P = 0.004]). The median survival times for SPS 0, SPS 1, SPS 2 and SPS 3/4 were 68.7, 47.1, 28.3 and 16.3 months, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for SPS was higher than other markers (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a nomogram that integrated TNM stage, tumor location and SPS exhibited superior discrimination power compared with the TNM stage alone (C-index, 0.714 vs. 0.630, respectively; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The preoperative SPS combining inflammatory, nutritional and tumor markers independently predicted postoperative survival in stage II-III GC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Prognostic value of a novel scoring system using inflammatory response biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective study

Background

The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR) are reported to show a strong correlation with prognosis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to describe a novel scoring system combining these ratios, termed the inflammatory response biomarker (IRB) score, and test its prognostic value in NSCLC.

Methods

The data of 261 NSCLC patients who underwent thoracoscopic radical resection in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. The IRB score was defined as follows: a high NLR (> 2.12), a high PLR (92.9), and a low LMR (< 4.57) were each scored as 1; the opposite values were scored as 0. The individual scores were added to produce the IRB score (range: 0–3).

Results

Multivariate analyses indicated that high tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (hazard ratio [HR] 2.721, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.597–4.989; P < 0.001) and an IRB score ≥ 2 (HR 2.696, 95% CI 1.506–4.826; P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for poor overall survival. Furthermore, smoking history (HR 2.953, 95% CI 1.086–8.026; P = 0.034), high TNM stage (HR 3.108, 95% CI 1.911–5.056; P < 0.001), and IRB score ≥ 2 (HR = 2.316, 95% CI: 1.389–3.861; P = 0.001) were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors for poor disease‐free survival.

Conclusion

The novel scoring system combining NLR, PLR, and LMR was an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection and was superior to these ratios alone for predicting prognosis.

Prognostic Nutritional Index After Chemoradiotherapy Was the Strongest Prognostic Predictor Among Biological and Conditional Factors in Localized Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients

Background: In many malignancies, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), host-related inflammatory/immunonutritional markers, such as the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), and C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio are reported to be prognostic factors. However, the prognostic influence of these factors before and after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has not been studied in PDAC patients. Methods: Of 261 consecutive PDAC patients who were scheduled for CRT with gemcitabine or S1 plus gemcitabine between February 2005 and December 2015, participants in this study were 176 who completed CRT and had full data available on inflammatory/immunonutritional markers as well as on anatomical and biological factors for the investigation of prognostic/predictive factors. Results: In multivariate analysis, the significant prognostic factors were RECIST classification, cT category, performance status, post-CRT carcinoembryonic antigen, post-CRT C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, post-CRT mGPS, and post-CRT PNI. Post-CRT PNI (cut-off value, 39) was the strongest host-related prognostic factor according to the p-value. In the patients who underwent resection after CRT, median survival time (MST) was significantly shorter in the 12 patients with low PNI (<39) than in the 97 with high PNI (≥39), at 15.5 months versus 27.2 months, respectively (p = 0.0016). In the patients who did not undergo resection, MST was only 8.9 months in those with low PNI and 12.3 months in those with high PNI (p < 0.0001), and thus was similar to that of the resected patients with low PNI. Conclusions: Post-CRT PNI was the strongest prognostic/predictive indicator among the independent biological and conditional prognostic factors in PDAC patients who underwent CRT.

Sarcopenia is a reliable prognostic factor in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

FOLFIRINOX is the reliable treatments for pancreatic cancer, but it has a relatively high toxicity and the selection of suitable patients for this regimen remains challenge. On the other hand, sarcopenia is one of the important prognostic factors of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sarcopenia on overall survival (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF) in patients with pancreatic cancer who received FOLFIRINOX.

METHODS

Clinical data of consecutive patients treated with FOLFIRINOX at our institution from 2011 to 2017 was retrospectively reviewed. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and adipose tissue index (ATI) at the third lumbar spine level was calculated from computed tomography (CT) images. The association between clinical factors (SMI and ATI), and OS and TTF were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

We assessed 82 patients. The median OS of sarcopenia and the non-sarcopenia patients were 11.3 and 17.0 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-4.32; p = 0.001). Median TTF was 3.0 and 6.1 months in the sarcopenia and the non-sarcopenia patients, respectively (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.03-2.71; p = 0.032). Multivariate analyses revealed that sarcopenia (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01-1.87; p = 0.045) was an independent prognostic factor of OS. High ATI (p = 0.022) and sarcopenic obesity (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with hematologic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is an independent indicator of poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer who received FOLFIRINOX, while ATI and sarcopenic obesity predicted severe hematologic toxicity.

A Novel Prognostic Scoring System Using Inflammatory Response Biomarkers for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

We describe a novel scoring system, namely the inflammatory response biomarker (IRB) score. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical value of IRB score in patients undergoing curative resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent curative esophagectomy. We evaluated IRB score in both non-elderly (<70 years) and elderly (≥70 years) SCC patients. The IRB score was determined as follows: a high lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (>4), a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (>1.6), and a low platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (<147) were each scored as 1, and the remaining values were scored as 0; the individual scores were then summed to produce the IRB score (range 0−3).

Results

Univariate analyses demonstrated that the TNM pStage (p < 0.0001), tumor size (p = 0.002), LMR (p = 0.0057), PLR (p = 0.0328) and IRB score (p = 0.0003) were significant risk factors for a worse prognosis. On multivariate analysis, the TNM pStage (p < 0.0001) and IRB score (p = 0.0227) were independently associated with worse prognosis in overall patients. Among non-elderly patients, multivariate analyses demonstrated that the pStage (p = 0.0015) and IRB score (p = 0.0356) were independent risk factors for a worse prognosis. Among elderly patients, multivariate analysis demonstrated that the pStage (p = 0.0016), and IRB score (p = 0.0102) were independent risk factors for a worse prognosis.

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence that the preoperative IRB score can be considered a promising independent prognostic factor of cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing curative resection for SCC, and that its predictive ability is useful in both non-elderly and elderly patients.

Ruxolitinib + capecitabine in advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer after disease progression/intolerance to first-line therapy: JANUS 1 and 2 randomized phase III studies

Background Ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/JAK2 inhibitor, plus capecitabine improved overall survival (OS) vs capecitabine in a subgroup analysis of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] >13 mg/dL) in the randomized phase II RECAP study. We report results from two randomized phase III studies, JANUS 1 (NCT02117479) and JANUS 2 (NCT02119663). Patients and Methods Adults with advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer, one prior chemotherapy regimen and CRP >10 mg/L were randomized 1:1 (stratified by modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [1 vs 2] and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status [0/1 vs 2]) to 21-day cycles of ruxolitinib 15 mg twice daily plus capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/day (Days 1-14) or placebo plus capecitabine. The primary endpoint was OS. Results Both studies were terminated following a planned interim futility/efficacy analysis of JANUS 1. Overall, 321 and 86 patients were randomized in JANUS 1 (ruxolitinib: n = 161; placebo: n = 160) and JANUS 2 (ruxolitinib: n = 43; placebo: n = 43). There was no significant difference in OS or progression-free survival (PFS) between treatments in JANUS 1 (OS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.969, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.747-1.256; PFS: HR, 1.056; 95% CI, 0.827-1.348) or JANUS 2 (OS: HR, 1.584; 95% CI, 0.886-2.830; PFS: HR, 1.166; 95% CI, 0.687-1.978). The most common hematologic adverse event was anemia. No new safety signals with ruxolitinib or capecitabine were identified. Conclusions Ruxolitinib plus capecitabine was well tolerated in refractory pancreatic cancer patients; this combination did not improve survival.

Serum MMP-8 and TIMP-1 predict prognosis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Almost all of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components can be degraded by the endoproteinases matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Important regulators of MMPs, and thereby of the extracellular environment, are tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and especially TIMP-1. Early tumor development, as well as distant metastasis, may be results of an MMP/TIMP ratio imbalance altering the ECM. MMPs are elevated in several inflammatory conditions. Our aim is to investigate the prognostic role of MMP-8, - 9, and TIMP-1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their relationship to inflammation.

METHODS

We included 337 colorectal cancer patients and 47 controls undergoing surgery at Helsinki University Hospital in Finland, 1998-2011. Serum levels of MMP-8 and plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined with a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA), and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Association and correlation analyses were performed with the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman rank correlation tests. Survival curves were constructed according to the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Among patients with advanced disease, serum levels of MMP-8 and TIMP-1 were elevated. CRC patients with high MMP-8 (HR (hazard ratio) 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.52, P = 0.005) and those with high TIMP-1 (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.23-2.64, P = 0.002) had worse prognoses. MMP-9 level failed to serve as a prognostic factor. In multivariable survival analysis, Dukes stage, and low MMP-9/TIMP-1 molar ratio (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.98, P = 0.042) were independently predicted prognosis. A weak correlation between CRP and MMP-8 (r_S = 0.229, P < 0.001), and TIMP-1 (r_S = 0.280, P < 0.001) was noted. Among patients showing no systemic inflammatory response, MMP-8 (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.10-2.53, P = 0.017) and TIMP-1 (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.05-2.42, P = 0.029) were prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

MMP-8 and TIMP-1 in serum, but not MMP-9, identified CRC patients with bad prognosis. Among patients showing no systemic inflammatory response, MMP-8 and TIMP-1 may associate with poor prognosis.

Prognostic and diagnostic value of REG4 serum and tissue expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Expression of regenerating islet-derived protein 4 (REG4), a secretory protein involved in cell differentiation and proliferation, is upregulated in inflammatory bowel diseases and in many gastrointestinal malignancies. The prognostic significance of its expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is unknown. Our aim was to investigate tumor tissue and serum REG4 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients. We also evaluated as a control the diagnostic value of serum REG4 level in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Immunohistochemical expression of REG4 was evaluated in 154 surgical specimens and serum REG4 level in 130 samples from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients treated at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, in 2000-2011. REG4 tissue and serum expression was assessed in relation to clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. A chronic pancreatitis control group comprised 34 patients who underwent pancreatic resection because of suspicion of malignancy. Significant survival differences were detectable in subgroups: in tumor stages IA-IIA, high serum REG4 level predicted worse survival (p=0.046). In patients with grade I tumor, positive tissue REG4 expression predicted better survival (p=0.006). In multivariate analysis, neither tissue nor serum REG4 expression was independent prognostic factors. Serum REG4 levels were higher in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma than in chronic pancreatitis (p=0.002), with diagnostic sensitivity of 45% and specificity of 91%. In logistic regression analysis, a multivariate model with REG4, CA19-9, and age provided sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 79%. REG4 tissue expression is a prognostic marker in subgroups of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients. Serum REG4 level might be useful in differential diagnosis between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Survival Prediction in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Quantitative Computed Tomography Image Analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal cancer with no established a priori markers of survival. Existing nomograms rely mainly on post-resection data and are of limited utility in directing surgical management. This study investigated the use of quantitative computed tomography (CT) features to preoperatively assess survival for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database identified consecutive chemotherapy-naive patients with CT angiography and resected PDAC between 2009 and 2012. Variation in CT enhancement patterns was extracted from the tumor region using texture analysis, a quantitative image analysis tool previously described in the literature. Two continuous survival models were constructed, with 70% of the data (training set) using Cox regression, first based only on preoperative serum cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 levels and image features (model A), and then on CA19-9, image features, and the Brennan score (composite pathology score; model B). The remaining 30% of the data (test set) were reserved for independent validation.

RESULTS

A total of 161 patients were included in the analysis. Training and test sets contained 113 and 48 patients, respectively. Quantitative image features combined with CA19-9 achieved a c-index of 0.69 [integrated Brier score (IBS) 0.224] on the test data, while combining CA19-9, imaging, and the Brennan score achieved a c-index of 0.74 (IBS 0.200) on the test data.

CONCLUSION

We present two continuous survival prediction models for resected PDAC patients. Quantitative analysis of CT texture features is associated with overall survival. Further work includes applying the model to an external dataset to increase the sample size for training and to determine its applicability.

Comparative proteomic profiling of the serum differentiates pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis

Finland ranks sixth among the countries having highest incidence rate of pancreatic cancer with mortality roughly equaling incidence. The average age of diagnosis for pancreatic cancer is 69 years in Nordic males, whereas the average age of diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is 40–50 years, however, many cases overlap in age. By radiology, the evaluation of a pancreatic mass, that is, the differential diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer is often difficult. Preoperative needle biopsies are difficult to obtain and are demanding to interpret. New blood based biomarkers are needed. The accuracy of the only established biomarker for pancreatic cancer, CA 19‐9 is rather poor in differentiating between benign and malignant mass of the pancreas. In this study, we have performed mass spectrometry analysis (High Definition MS^E) of serum samples from patients with chronic pancreatitis (13) and pancreatic cancer (22). We have quantified 291 proteins and performed detailed statistical analysis such as principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis and receiver operating curve analysis. The proteomic signature of chronic pancreatitis versus pancreatic cancer samples was able to separate the two groups by multiple statistical techniques. Some of the enriched pathways in the proteomic dataset were LXR/RXR activation, complement and coagulation systems and inflammatory response. We propose that multiple high‐confidence biomarker candidates in our pilot study including Inter‐alpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H2 (Area under the curve, AUC: 0.947), protein AMBP (AUC: 0.951) and prothrombin (AUC: 0.917), which should be further evaluated in larger patient series as potential new biomarkers for differential diagnosis.