Current surgical aspects of palliative treatment for unresectable pancreatic cancer

Morbidity and Mortality of Non-pancreatectomy operations for pancreatic cancer: An ACS-NSQIP analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with pancreas cancer may undergo palliative gastrointestinal or biliary bypass. Recent comparisons of post-operative outcomes following such procedures are lacking.

METHODS

We analyzed patients undergoing exploration, gastrojejunostomy, biliary bypass or double bypass for pancreatic cancer using data from the 2005-2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. We compared 30-day mortality and complications across procedures and over time periods (2005-10, 2011-14, 2015-19) using multivariable regression models. Factors associated with postoperative mortality were identified.

RESULTS

Of 43,525 patients undergoing surgery with a postoperative diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, 5572 met inclusion criteria. Palliative operations included 1037 gastrojejunostomies, 792 biliary bypasses, 650 double bypasses, and 3093 explorations. The proportion of biliary and double bypass procedures decreased from 2005-10 to 2015-19. Gastrojejunostomy had higher 30-day mortality rate (11.5%) than other operations (p < 0.001). Adjusted 30-day mortality rates remained stable over time (7.8% vs 6.3%, p = 0.095), while rates of serious complications decreased over time (23.2% vs 17.1%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative bypass for pancreatic cancer has not become safer over time, and 30-day mortality and complications remain high.

Construction and validation of an aging-related gene signature predicting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy with a high mortality rate and worse prognosis. Recently, public databases and bioinformatics tools make it easy to develop the prognostic risk model of pancreatic cancer, but the aging-related risk signature has not been reported. The present study aimed to identify an aging-related risk signature with potential prognostic value for pancreatic cancer patients. Method: Gene expression profiling and human clinical information of pancreatic cancer were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). Aging-related gene sets were downloaded from The Molecular Signatures Database and aging-related genes were obtained from the Human Ageing Genomic Resources database. Firstly, Gene set enrichment analysis was carried out to investigate the role of aging process in pancreatic cancer. Secondly, differentially expressed genes and aging-related prognostic genes were screened on the basis of the overall survival information. Then, univariate COX and LASSO analysis were performed to establish an aging-related risk signature of pancreatic cancer patients. To facilitate clinical application, a nomogram was established to predict the survival rates of PCa patients. The correlations of risk score with clinical features and immune status were evaluated. Finally, potential therapeutic drugs were screened based on the connectivity map (Cmap) database and verified by molecular docking. For further validation, the protein levels of aging-related genes in normal and tumor tissues were detected in the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. Result: The genes of pancreatic cancer were markedly enriched in several aging-associated signaling pathways. We identified 14 key aging-related genes related to prognosis from 9,020 differentially expressed genes and establish an aging-related risk signature. This risk model indicated a strong prognostic capability both in the training set of TCGA cohort and the validation set of PACA-CA cohort and GSE62452 cohort. A nomogram combining risk score and clinical variables was built, and calibration curve and Decision curve analysis (DCA) have proved that it has a good predictive value. Additionally, the risk score was tightly linked with tumor immune microenvironment, immune checkpoints and proinflammatory factors. Moreover, a candidate drug, BRD-A47144777, was screened and verified by molecular docking, indicating this drug has the potential to treat PCa. The protein expression levels of GSK3B, SERPINE1, TOP2A, FEN1 and HIC1 were consistent with our predicted results. Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified an aging-related signature and nomogram with high prediction performance of survival and immune cell infiltration for pancreatic cancer. This signature might potentially help in providing personalized immunotherapy for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy: A Single-institute Experience With Literature Review

OBJECTIVES

The current clinical study aims to compare the clinical efficacy of open choledochojejunostomy (OCJ) and laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy (LCJ) in patients with benign and malignant biliary tract disorders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical data of 40 consecutive patients who underwent either OCJ or LCJ from January 2015 to February 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical parameters analyzed include baseline information, intraoperative characteristics, and postoperative clinical outcomes. The patients were divided into OCJ group and LCJ group based on the surgical approach performed.

RESULTS

Of 40 patients during the study period, 15 underwent LCJ and the remaining 25 patients underwent OCJ. The mean operative time was slightly longer in the LCJ group (323.53±150.30 min) than the OCJ group (295.38±130.34 min) (P=0.945); intraoperative blood loss in 2 groups were similar (179.17 vs. 164.67 mL, P=0.839). Although hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LCJ group (8.33±2.1 d) compared with the OCJ group (19.24±4.2 d) (P<0.001). Biliary leakage is the most common complication after OCJ; no complication was experienced in the LCJ group.

CONCLUSIONS

LCJ is a feasible and safe option for patients undergoing choledochojejunostomy.

A contemporary analysis of palliative procedures in aborted pancreatoduodenectomy: Morbidity, mortality, and impact on future therapy

BACKGROUND

Periampullary malignancies are often unresectable tumors that frequently cause biliary or duodenal obstruction. Advances in endoscopic and percutaneous options have lessened the need for operative palliation. Nevertheless, many patients are still found to be unresectable at the time of exploration, making palliative bypass a consideration. Several prior studies have examined the morbidity of operative palliation, but many were conducted over lengthy time periods, and few have examined the impact of these procedures on future therapy. This study is a contemporary analysis of the short- and long-term outcomes of palliative bypass procedures for unresectable periampullary malignancies at a single high-volume institution.

METHODS

We identified a contemporary cohort of patients in whom a pancreatoduodenectomy was planned for periampullary malignancy but instead underwent an aborted procedure. Patients were divided into 5 procedure groups: laparoscopy only, laparotomy with or without cholecystectomy, gastrointestinal bypass, biliary bypass, and double bypass (gastrointestinal and biliary). Data regarding the patient cohort, procedures, morbidity/mortality, and the interval to initiation of systemic therapy were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Between July 2011 and November 2018, 128 out of 615 (17%) patients had an aborted pancreatoduodenectomy; 113 out of 128 patients had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and 86 (67.1%) had duodenal or biliary obstruction at the time of operation. Patients who underwent laparoscopy only (n = 34) had no operative complications and a 90-day mortality of 6%; 88% of these patients went on to receive systemic therapy (median 21 days postprocedure). Double bypass was associated with a far lesser complication rate than in prior studies; 17% of patients had some complication(s), but only 9% had a severe complication. The 90-day all-cause mortality was 13%, and only 71% of these patients went on to receive systemic therapy (median 47 days postprocedure). Notably, 27 out of 34 (79%) of patients who underwent laparoscopy alone needed additional procedures for local obstruction, whereas only 5 out of 42 (12%) double bypass patients needed additional interventions. Median survival for the entire cohort was 10.3 months.

CONCLUSION

Palliative procedures in this cohort had a far lesser complication rate than that of historical series. Palliative procedures, however, delayed systemic therapy, and a fair number of patients never received additional treatments. Palliative procedures markedly decreased the need for future interventions. Intraoperative decisions regarding palliative procedures must incorporate the functional status and motivations of the patient; these procedures are increasingly safe but may still affect survival.

MicroRNA-330 Directs Downregulation of the GABABR2 in the Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer Pain

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly malignancies with a very poor prognosis. Pancreatic cancer-induced visceral pain is very common and is generally presented among the initial symptoms in patients; such pain is strongly associated with poor quality of life, impaired functional activity, and decreased survival. However, the principal neurobiological mechanisms of pain caused by pancreatic cancer have not been fully elucidated. Accumulating studies have shown that miRNAs play a major role in chronic pain by suppressing key molecules involved in nociception. In the present study, we report that microRNA (miR)-330 is highly expressed in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) of nude mice with pancreatic cancer pain. Mimicking pancreatic carcinoma-induced SDH miR-330 upregulation by microinjection of miR-330 mimic into the SDH significantly induced abdominal mechanical allodynia in normal nude mice. Additionally, we found that the expression of GABA_BR2 was significantly decreased in the SDH of nude mice with pancreatic cancer pain and was regulated directly by miR-330 both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-330 rescued the expression of GABA_BR2 and alleviated pancreatic carcinoma-induced abdominal pain hypersensitivity in nude mice with pancreatic carcinoma. These results show that miR-330 participates in the genesis of pancreatic carcinoma-induced pain hypersensitivity by inhibiting GABA_BR2 expression in the SDH and might be a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer pain.

Biliary palliation for unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma: surgical bypass or self-expanding metal stent?

BACKGROUND

Standard of care guidelines endorse self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) rather than open surgical biliary bypass (OSBB) for biliary palliation in the setting of unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study used competing risk analysis to compare short- and long-term morbidity and overall survival among patients undergoing SEMS or OSBB after unresectable or metastatic disease is identified at the time of exploration.

METHODS

Single institution retrospective cohort study (n = 127) evaluating outcomes after OSBB and SEMS for biliary palliation in patients found to have unresectable PDAC at exploration. Short-term, long-term, and lifetime risk of biliary occlusion and survival were compared after adjustment for stage and comprehensive complication index (CCI).

RESULTS

Baseline demographics and tumor characteristics were equivalent between cohorts. Short-term complications were more frequent after OSBB, whereas late complications were greater after SEMS. The cumulative incidence of recurrent biliary obstruction was greater after SEMS, but lifetime complication burden and median survival were equivalent.

CONCLUSION

OSBB was associated with longer hospital stays and more short-term complications, and SEMS was associated with a higher risk of recurrent biliary obstruction among surgical patients with unresectable PDAC. Patient preference should be defined pre-operatively in the case the unresectable disease is encountered during attempted resection.

Celiac plexus block increases quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer

Background

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant disease with a high mortality rate and severe pain that is challenging to manage. To reduce the excruciating abdominal pain, opioids and adjuvant agents are conventionally used.

Objectives

PRNCPB is a treatment of neural therapy. The number of studies assessing the effect on patients' QoL is limited and inconsistent. With this study, we intended to address this issue.

Study design

A prospective nonrandomized study with a series of cases of unresectable pancreatic cancer was conducted.

Setting

The study was performed at our pain clinic under real life conditions.

Materials and methods

A total number of 16 patients with severe abdominal pain were enrolled in the study all of whom had responded to combined systemic analgesic therapy inadequately and had intolerable side effects contraindicating further increase in dose. The efficacy of this invasive, palliative analgesic procedure was evaluated 35 days after PRNCPB was performed. Primary outcomes were changed in pain intensity using the VAS questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were improved in QoL using the SF-36 questionnaire. Changes in pain medications and adverse reactions were monitored.

Results

After PRNCPB patients experienced a significant decrease (P=0.002) in pain intensity as shown by the VAS score, and a decreased opiate demand. Their QoL scores considering effect sizes also improved (P<0.001). No complications attributable to PRNCPB were observed during the study period. Additionally, no adverse drug reactions were observed.

Limitations

Detection, observation, and reporting bias can be estimated as moderate. Selection bias was not detected.

Conclusion

Our results give preliminary evidence that PRNCPB might be helpful as an additional treatment to conventional pain management in end-stage pancreatic cancer patients. PRNCPB seems to improve QoL in these patients in a time frame of at least 5 weeks after intervention.

Bilateral Thoracoscopic Splanchnotomy to Alleviate Pain in Chronic Pancreatic Disease

Chronic intractable pain is a common problem in severe pancreatic disease. Bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnotomy, a thoracoscopic neurotomy of the splanchnic nerves, is rarely performed but may provide significant pain relief in these patients. We present a safe strategy that uses prone positioning and two thoracoscopic ports for either hemithorax, permitting easy exposure and simple dissection of the greater and lesser splanchnic nerves. In our experience, this technique provides excellent pain relief with a minimal postoperative stay and few postoperative adverse events. This intervention has the potential to reduce dependency on opioid agents and improve quality of life in carefully selected patients.

The Choice of Palliative Treatment for Biliary and Duodenal Obstruction in Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Is Surgery Bypass Better?

This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of palliative operation for carcinoma of pancreas between bypass surgery and interventional therapy. Most patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer cannot undergo resection and show obstructive jaundice at presentation. Methods of palliation in these patients comprise biliary stent or surgical bypass. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 53 patients who underwent palliative treatment with incurable locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This retrospective study compared morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, readmission rate, and survival in these patients. A total of 31 patients underwent biliary bypass surgery, and 22 had interventional therapy. There was no significant difference in the patients' basic condition before operation and in the 30-day mortality between surgical palliation and intervention. However, there were some differences in the early complications, survival time, successful biliary drainage, and recurrent jaundice. Through analysis of these clinical data and the published studies, we conclude that surgical bypass is a better effective palliative method for patients than biliary and duodenum stent with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients need to be carefully selected in consideration of operative risk and perceived overall survival.

Splanchnicectomy for pancreatic cancer pain

Persistent pain is a serious problem that often contributes to a poor quality of life in pancreatic cancer patients. Medical management by opioid analgesics is often accompanied by side effects and incomplete pain relief. A celiac plexus block is a simple treatment which relieves pain, but the procedure demands a certain degree of proficiency and the duration of the effects obtained can be rather limited. Transhiatal bilateral splanchnicectomy achieves a certain denervation of splanchnic nerves, but it requires a laparotomy. Unilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to cause definite denervation. Bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy is recommended for unsatisfactory cases or recurrent pain occurring after the initial unilateral splanchnicectomy. It is important to select the most suitable treatment depending on patients' actual medical state and the predicted outcomes.

National trends in pancreatic cancer outcomes and pattern of care among Medicare beneficiaries, 2000 through 2010

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Medicare population. Whether the health care burden of pancreatic cancer has changed over the last decade is unknown.

METHODS

The authors used Medicare data from 2000 to 2010 to identify beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years who were hospitalized for the management of pancreatic cancer. Annual trends were estimated for the age-sex-race-adjusted initial hospitalization rate, the age-sex-race-comorbidity-adjusted 1-year mortality rate after initial hospitalization, age-sex-race-comorbidity-adjusted procedure rates, 1-year all-cause rehospitalizations after initial pancreatic cancer hospitalization, and mean inflation-adjusted Medicare payment for initial hospitalization.

RESULTS

A total of 130,728 patients had ≥ 1 hospitalizations for pancreatic cancer and were identified from 56,642,071 beneficiaries during the study period. The age-sex-race-adjusted rate of initial hospitalization for pancreatic cancer was 50 per 100,000 person-years in 2010, representing a 0.5% annual increase since 2000 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.3%-0.7%). In the same period, the age-sex-race-comorbidity-adjusted 1-year mortality rate decreased by 4.4% (95% CI, 3.9%-4.9%), and the age-sex-race-comorbidity-adjusted surgical resection rate increased by 6.9% (95% CI, 6.4%-7.5%). The mean inflation-adjusted Medicare payment for the initial hospitalization decreased, from $14,118 in 2000 to $13,318 in 2010, and the number of 1-year all-cause rehospitalizations after the initial hospitalization increased from 0.75 per patient in 2000 to 0.82 per patient in 2009 (all P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

For Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, initial pancreatic cancer hospitalization, surgical resection, and rehospitalization rates increased, but 1-year mortality rates declined over the last decade.

An RNA aptamer that specifically binds pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor inhibits migration and growth of pancreatic cancer cells

Previously, we reported that a novel secretory protein, pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor (PAUF), which is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and mediates the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we generated and characterized a 2'-fluoropyrimidine modified RNA aptamer (P12FR2) directed against human PAUF. P12FR2 binds specifically to human PAUF with an estimated apparent K(D) of 77nM. P12FR2 aptamer inhibits PAUF-induced migration of PANC-1, human pancreatic cancer cells, in a wound healing assay. Moreover, intraperitoneal injection of P12FR2 decreased tumor growth by about 60% in an in vivo xenograft model with CFPAC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, without causing a loss of weight in the treated mice. Taken together, we propose here that PAUF-specific RNA aptamer, P12FR2, has the potential to be effective in the therapy of human pancreatic cancer.