Postoperative Outcomes and Functional Recovery After Preoperative Combination Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

Combined pre-operative risk score predicts pancreatic leak after pancreatic resection

BACKGROUND

Post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a major complication following pancreatectomy and is currently difficult to predict pre-operatively. This study aims to validate pre-operative risk factors and develop a novel combined score for the prediction of POPF in the pre-operative setting.

METHODS

Data were collected from 2016 to 2021 for radiologic main pancreatic duct diameter (MPD), body mass index (BMI), physical status classified by American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), polypharmacy, mean platelet ratio (MPR), comorbidity-polypharmacy score (CPS), and a novel Combined Pancreatic Leak Prediction Score (CPLPS) (derived from MPD diameter, BMI, and CPS) were obtained from pre-operative data and analyzed for their independent association with POPF occurrence.

RESULTS

In total, 166 patients who underwent pancreatectomy with pancreatic leak (Grade A, B, and C) occurring in 51(30.7%) of patients. Pre-operative radiologic MPD diameter < 4 mm (p < 0.001), < 5 mm (p < 0.001), < 6 mm (p = 0.001), BMI ≥ 25 (p = 0.009), and ≥ 30 (p = 0.017) were independently associated with the occurrence of pancreatic leak. CPLPS was also predictive of pancreatic leak following pancreatectomy on univariate (p = 0.005) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

MPD and BMI were independent risk factors predictive for the development of pancreatic leak. CPLPS, was an independent predictor of pancreatic leak following pancreatectomy and could be used to help guide surgical decision making and patient counseling.

Effect of preoperative biliary stent on postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer: Neoadjuvant versus upfront treatment

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available regarding the effect of preoperative biliary stent, during long-course neoadjuvant chemotherapy, on postoperative complications. The aim of the study is to analyze whether the association of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and biliary stent increases overall and infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODS

Data for 538 consecutive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Four groups of patients were identified: neoadjuvant chemotherapy + biliary stent (171 patients), neoadjuvant chemotherapy-no biliary stent (65 patients), upfront surgery + biliary stent (184 patients), and upfront surgery-no biliary stent (118 patients). Median neoadjuvant chemotherapy duration was 6 months. The main outcome of the study was the occurrence of postoperative infections.

RESULTS

No differences among the 4 groups were observed for pancreaticoduodenectomy-specific complications (ie, POPF, DGE, PPH). Infectious complications, in particular surgical site infections, were more frequent in neoadjuvant chemotherapy + biliary stent group (P = 0.001). At multivariate analysis, biliary stent was significantly associated with postoperative infectious complications in the overall cohort (odds ratio 1.996, confidence interval 95% 1.29-3.09, P = .002) and in neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients (odds ratio 5.974, 95% confidence interval 2.52-14.13, P < .001). Biliary stent significantly increased the comprehensive complication index by 9.5% (95% confidence interval 0.04-0.64, P = 0.024) in the overall cohort and 18.9% (95% confidence interval 0.22-1.23, P = .005) in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. The presence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in intraoperative bile culture was not influenced by long-course neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

In neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients, biliary stent increased the occurrence of postoperative infectious complications and surgical site infections, while the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in intraoperative bile culture was similar between groups.

Neoadjuvant Therapy Is Associated with Improved Chemotherapy Delivery and Overall Survival Compared to Upfront Resection in Pancreatic Cancer without Increasing Perioperative Complications

The role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and/or chemotherapy (neoCHT) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poorly defined. We hypothesized that patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) would have improved systemic therapy delivery, as well as comparable perioperative complications, compared to patients undergoing upfront resection. This is an IRB-approved retrospective study of potentially resectable PDAC patients treated within an academic quaternary referral center between 2011 and 2018. Data were abstracted from the electronic medical record using an institutional cancer registry and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Three hundred and fourteen patients were eligible for analysis and eighty-one patients received NAT. The median overall survival (OS) was significantly improved in patients who received NAT (28.6 vs. 20.1 months, p = 0.014). Patients receiving neoCHT had an overall increased mean duration of systemic therapy (p < 0.001), and the median OS improved with each month of chemotherapy delivered (HR = 0.81 per month CHT, 95% CI (0.76-0.86), p < 0.001). NAT was not associated with increases in early severe post-operative complications (p = 0.47), late leaks (p = 0.23), or 30-90 day readmissions (p = 0.084). Our results show improved OS in patients who received NAT, driven largely by improved chemotherapy delivery, without an apparent increase in early or late perioperative complications compared to patients undergoing upfront resection.

Role of extracellular matrix structural components and tissue mechanics in the development of postoperative pancreatic fistula

Radical resection remains the only curative treatment option in pancreatic cancer. Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) occur in up to 30% of patients leading to prolonged hospital-stay, increased cost of care and morbidity and mortality. Mechanical properties of the pancreas are associated with POPF. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue mechanics in the risk of POPF. Biopsies of 41 patients receiving a partial pancreas-resection are analyzed. Clinical data, ECM components and mechanical properties are correlated with POPF. Preoperative cholestasis is correlated with reduced risk of POPF, which comes along with a dilatation of the pancreatic duct and significantly higher content of collagen I. Patients developing POPF exhibited a degenerated tissue integrity, with significantly lower content of fibronectin and a trend for lower collagen I, III, IV and hyaluronic acid. This correlated with a soft tactile sensation of the surgeon during the intervention. However, this was not reflected with tissue mechanics evaluated by ex vivo uniaxial compression testing, where a significantly higher elastic modulus and no effect on the stress relaxation time were found. In conclusion, patients with cholestasis seem to have a lower risk for POPF, and an increase in collagen I. A degenerated matrix with lower content of structural ECM components correlates with increased risk of POPF. However, ex vivo uniaxial compression testing failed to clearly explain the link of ECM properties and POPF.

The effect of preoperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy on pancreatic fistula and other surgical complications after pancreatic resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

BACKGROUND

Preoperative chemo- or chemoradiotherapy is recommended for borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of preoperative therapy on surgical complications in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies reporting on the rate of surgical complications after preoperative chemo- or chemoradiotherapy versus immediate surgery in pancreatic cancer patients. The primary endpoint was the rate of grade B/C POPF. Pooled odds ratios were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Forty-one comparative studies including 25,389 patients were included. Vascular resections were more often performed after preoperative therapy (29.4% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001). Preoperative therapy was associated with a lower rate of grade B/C POPF as compared to immediate surgery (pooled OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.38-0.58). This reduction was mostly obtained by preoperative chemoradiotherapy (OR 0.46, 95%CI 0.29-0.73), but not by preoperative chemotherapy alone (OR 0.83, 95%CI 0.59-1.16). No difference was demonstrated for major morbidity, mortality, postpancreatectomy haemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying and overall morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative chemo- and chemoradiotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer appears to be safe with respect to POPF and other surgical complications as compared to immediate surgery. The reduced rate of POPF appears to be attributable to preoperative chemoradiation.

Biliary intervention rates during neoadjuvant therapy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy prior to resection of adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head increases time to surgery and thus the possibility of biliary complications. We hypothesized that biliary complications during neoadjuvant therapy negatively impact clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We completed a retrospective study of a cohort of borderline resectable patients consistently treated with neoadjuvant therapy from May 2014 through March 2019. Biliary complications were defined as new-onset biliary obstruction, existing stent failure, cholecystitis, and cholangitis.

RESULTS

Of 59 patients that met inclusion criteria, 34 (57.6%) went on to resection. Biliary complications affected 16 patients (27%); 8 (50%) of these patients went on to surgical resection. Of those 43 patients who did not have a biliary intervention, 26 went on to surgical resection (60.4%). There was no significant effect of a biliary complication on total number of chemotherapy cycles (p = 0.12), proceeding to surgical resection (p = 0.56) or on median survival (p = 0.23). Among patients who did proceed to surgery, there was a notable difference in median survival for patients who required a biliary intervention (17.9 vs 31.0 months) that did not reach significance (p = 0.35).

CONCLUSION

The need for further biliary interventions during neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is common, but does not appear to have a significant effect on number of cycles of neoadjuvant therapy or proceeding to surgical resection. Larger studies are necessary to determine if these events compromise overall survival.

Vascular resection during pancreatectomy for pancreatic head cancer: A technical issue or a prognostic sign?

BACKGROUND

There is an increased interest in venous vascular resection associated with pancreatic resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as an upfront procedure or after neoadjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of venous vascular resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma on postoperative and long-term outcomes.

METHODS

The study is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic head pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with and without venous vascular resection between January 2010 and April 2018. The impact of venous vascular resection on postoperative and pathologic data was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses of predictors of disease-free and disease-specific survival were analyzed for the entire cohort. A propensity-score matched cohort analysis was subsequently performed to remove selection bias and improve homogeneity.

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighty-one patients were included, and 126 (26%) underwent a venous vascular resection. Patients undergoing venous vascular resection had higher morbidity (64% vs 54%; P = .026) with no differences in 90-day postoperative mortality (3.1 vs 2.8%; P = .5). Venous vascular resections were also significantly associated with R1 resections (52% vs 37%; P = .002) and perineural invasion (87% vs 77%; P = .017). Five-year disease-free survival in patients with and without venous vascular resection were 7% and 20% (P = .018), respectively. Independent predictors of worse disease-free survival included venous vascular resection, positive lymph node status, and perineural invasion. Independent predictors of worse disease-specific survival were perineural invasion and positive nodal status, while adjuvant treatment was a protective factor. Five-year disease-specific survival in patients with and without venous vascular resection were 19% and 35% (P = .42).

CONCLUSION

Pancreatectomy with venous vascular resection can be accomplished safely. Venous vascular resections are associated with poor prognostic factors and with a worse clinical outcome, being a significant predictor of cancer recurrence.

The identification of candidate effective combination regimens for pancreatic cancer using the histoculture drug response assay

The prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer is extremely poor, as they are resistant to first line chemotherapy. The long-term goal of this study was to identify effective combination chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer using pancreatic cancer surgical specimens in the histoculture drug response assay (HDRA) based on three-dimensional culture of tumour fragments, which maintains nature tumour histology in vitro. From 2015 to 2017, the HDRA was performed with tumour specimens from 52 pancreatic cancer patients from Asan Medical Hospital. First, combination drug regimens showed higher drug efficacy and less patient variation than single drugs. Initially, 5-Fluorouracil(5-FU)/Belotecan/Oxaliplatinum and Tegafur/Gimeracil (TS-1)/Oxaliplatinum/Irinotecan were found to be effective. Second, we were able to correlate the efficacy of some drugs with tumour stage. Third, when designing new combination regimens containing 5-FU or gemcitabine, we could identify more effective drug combinations. This is the first study to demonstrate usefulness of the HDRA for pancreatic cancer. Using this technique, we could identify novel candidate combination drug regimens that should be effective in treating pancreatic cancer.