Direct comparison of biopsy techniques for hepatic malignancies

Patient-Derived Organoids as Therapy Screening Platforms in Cancer Patients

Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) developed ex vivo and in vitro are increasingly used for therapeutic screening. They provide a more physiologically relevant model for drug discovery and development compared to traditional cell lines. However, several challenges remain to be addressed to fully realize the potential of PDOs in therapeutic screening. This paper summarizes recent advancements in PDO development and the enhancement of PDO culture models. This is achieved by leveraging materials engineering and microfabrication technologies, including organs-on-a-chip and droplet microfluidics. Additionally, this work discusses the application of PDOs in therapy screening to meet diverse requirements and overcome bottlenecks in cancer treatment. Furthermore, this work introduces tools for data processing and analysis of organoids, along with their microenvironment. These tools aim to achieve enhanced readouts. Finally, this work explores the challenges and future perspectives of using PDOs in drug development and personalized screening for cancer patients.

Update on the Screening, Diagnosis, and Management of Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a neoplasm of the biliary tract that has become increasingly prevalent throughout the world. Common risk factors for developing CCA include cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and trematode fluke infestation, although there are no set screening guidelines in high-risk groups. Lesions are typically identified via cross-sectional imaging and/or elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, often followed by cytology or brushings with fluorescence in situ hybridization for confirmation. Treatments can vary among CCA subtypes but frequently involve systemic therapies such as gemcitabine and cisplatin with durvalumab or pembrolizumab. Targeted therapies may also be effective (eg, ivosidenib, pemigatinib, infigratinib, futibatinib) depending on the molecular alterations present. Resection is the most common surgical treatment for CCA, although liver transplantation is also an option in highly selected patients with liver-limited unresectable disease. Radiotherapy may also be a treatment option, as well as transarterial radioembolization (eg, yttrium-90), which is often utilized in combination with systemic therapy. Although patients with CCA have traditionally had a poor prognosis, recent advances in treatment, including new systemic therapies and increased utilization of liver transplantation, have improved expected survival. This article reviews screening modalities, pros and cons of diagnostic techniques, and therapies that are currently available to treat patients with CCA.

Combined fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy in the same setting: A two-years' experience

INTRODUCTION

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) combined with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) and ancillary techniques is an accurate diagnostic tool for many pathologies. However, in some cases, it may not be sufficient for actionable diagnoses or molecular testing, especially for cases that require large immunohistochemical panels or cases in which histological features are mandatory for the diagnosis. Core needle biopsy (CNB), on the contrary, provides samples that are suitable for histological features and sufficient for all ancillary studies. However, CNB is often performed by radiologists or clinicians without the direct participation of cytopathologists, which can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses. This study reports on the experience of combining FNAC and CNB performed in one setting by cytopathologists. The aim was to evaluate the impact of CNB on FNAC and the diagnostic efficiency of the combined procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred forty-two FNAC and CNB procedures performed in the same setting over a period of 2 years were analysed. The FNAC diagnoses were compared and integrated with the subsequent CNB diagnoses. The impact of CNB was categorized as follows: non-contributory, in cases of inadequate samples; confirmed, when the CNB and FNAC diagnoses were the same; improved, when the CNB diagnosis was consistent with the FNAC diagnosis and further specified the corresponding entity; allowed, when CNB produced a diagnosis that could not be reached by FNAC; changed, when the CNB changed the previous FNAC diagnosis.

RESULTS

CNB confirmed the FNAC diagnosis in 40.1% of cases (n = 57/142). CNB improved the FNAC diagnosis in 47.2% of cases (n = 67/142). CNB allowed a diagnosis that could not be performed on FNAC in 2.1% of cases (n = 3/142). CNB changed a previous FNAC diagnosis in 2.1% of cases (n = 3/142). CNB was non-contributory in 8.4% of cases (n = 12/142). CNB produced a positive impact on the whole diagnostic procedure in 51.4% of total cases (n = 73/142). The combined FNAC and CNB resulted in actionable diagnoses in 91.5% of all cases (n = 130/142). A complete molecular assessment was successfully performed in 14.7% of cases (n = 21/142) utilizing either FNAC or CNB material.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined use of FNAC and CNB in one setting improves the diagnostic accuracy of both procedures. This approach exploits the advantages of each procedure, enhancing the accuracy of the final diagnosis.

Refining Liver Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An In-Depth Exploration of Shifting Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

The field of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has faced significant change on multiple levels in the past few years. The increasing emphasis on the various HCC phenotypes and the emergence of novel, specific therapies have slowly paved the way for a personalized approach to primary liver cancer. In this light, the role of percutaneous liver biopsy of focal lesions has shifted from a purely confirmatory method to a technique capable of providing an in-depth characterization of any nodule. Cancer subtype, gene expression, the mutational profile, and tissue biomarkers might soon become widely available through biopsy. However, indications, expectations, and techniques might suffer changes as the aim of the biopsy evolves from providing minimal proof of the disease to high-quality specimens for extensive analysis. Consequently, a revamped position of tissue biopsy is expected in HCC, following the reign of non-invasive imaging-only diagnosis. Moreover, given the advances in techniques that have recently reached the spotlight, such as liquid biopsy, concomitant use of all the available methods might gather just enough data to improve therapy selection and, ultimately, outcomes. The current review aims to discuss the changing role of liver biopsy and provide an evidence-based rationale for its use in the era of precision medicine in HCC.

Association between Biomarkers (VEGF-R2, VEGF-R3, VCAM-1) and Treatment Duration in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors Receiving Therapy with First-Generation Somatostatin Analogues

Angiogenic factors (AF) promote vascular formation and may thus support neuroendocrine tumour (NET) development. This study aimed to assess AF serum level changes in NET patients treated with prolonged-acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs). The study enrolled 49 healthy volunteers (Group A) and 56 NET patients: treatment naïve (Group B) and after-SSA treatment in various periods (months): under 12 (Group C), 13–24 (Group D), 25–36 (Group E), 37–60 (Group F), and over 60 months (Group G). The serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 2, 3 (VEGF-R2, VEGF-R3), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) concentrations were tested using the ELISA. We noted significant differences in the concentrations of VEGF-R2, VEGF-R3, and VCAM-1 depending on the SSA treatment duration (p < 0.001). In the studied AFs, the highest decreasing levels of VEGF-R2 were observed after two years of therapy. However, monitoring VEGF-R2, VEGF-R3, and VCAM-1 during SSA treatment did not allow for the identification of good responders for this kind of therapy. Therefore, these biomarker measurements were not helpful in assessing SSA treatment effectiveness in NET patients.

Image-guided Percutaneous Biopsy of the Liver

Percutaneous Biopsy of the Liver (PBL) is a cornerstone in the diagnosis of parenchymal liver disease and focal hepatic lesions. The indications for PBL can broadly be divided into those used to garner information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment. While the diagnosis of many common liver diseases can usually be made with imaging and serologic testing alone, PBL may be indicated in situations where the diagnosis is in question. Furthermore, liver biopsies are a foundational element for personalized treatment approaches for cancer patients; increasing emphasis is being placed on acquiring sufficient tissue for molecular profiling. While a variety of image guidance and procedural techniques have been applied to PBL, following conventional principles can ensure technical success and minimize complication risks. In this technique article, we review the practical periprocedural considerations of PBL with emphasis on recent advancements and societal recommendations.

Touch Imprint Intraoperative Flow Cytometry as a Complementary Tool for Detailed Assessment of Resection Margins and Tumor Biology in Liver Surgery for Primary and Metastatic Liver Neoplasms

Liver resection is the main treatment for primary and metastatic liver tumors in order to achieve long-term survival with good quality of life. The ultimate goal of surgical oncology is to achieve complete tumor removal with adequate clear surgical margins. Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical technique with applications such as phenotypic analysis and quantification of DNA content. Intraoperative flow cytometry (iFC) is the application of flow cytometry for DNA content/ploidy and cell cycle distribution analysis during surgery for tumor cell analysis and margin evaluation. It has been used for cell analysis of intracranial tumors and recently of head and neck carcinomas and breast carcinomas, as well as for tumor margin evaluation. Herein, we present a novel touch imprint iFC protocol for the detailed assessment of tumor margins during excision of malignant hepatic lesions. The protocol aims to offer information on surgical margins after removal of malignant liver tumors based on DNA content of cancer cells and to corroborate the results of iFC with that of histopathological analysis. Based on the established role of iFC in other types of malignancies, our specialized protocol has the potential, through characterization of cells in liver transection surface post hepatectomy, to offer significant information on the type of resection and tumor biology. This information can be used to effectively guide intra- and postoperative patient management.