Neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: The need for patient-centered research

The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma depends on response to neoadjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND

The benefit of adjuvant therapy (AT) remains unclear in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and surgical resection.

METHODS

The 2019 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with non-metastatic PDAC who received NAT followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy. Only patients with data regarding receipt of AT were included. Patients were classified if they had nodal down-staging specifically, or any downstaging (Tumor, Nodal, or overall). Propensity score matching (PSM) adjusted for pretreatment covariate imbalance between groups. The weighted Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to estimate the cumulative survival.

RESULTS

After exclusion criteria and PSM, a total of 2784 patients remained; 1689 (60.7%) received AT and 1095 (39.3%) did not receive AT. Among all, those with additional AT had a significantly improved overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). Upon evaluation of patients without downstaging after NAT, those who received AT had improved OS (no nodal downstaging or any downstaging; p = 0.002; p = 0.001). When evaluating patients with downstaging after NAT, those receiving AT did not have improved OS (nodal downstaging or any downstaging: p = 0.352; p = 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Response to NAT appears to correlate with the benefit of AT following pancreaticoduodenectomy; patients who have a favorable response to NAT may not benefit from AT.

Combining prognostic value of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and tumor size reduction ratio in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common cancer with increasing morbidity and mortality due to changes of social environment.

AIM

To evaluate the significance of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and tumor size changes pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital. This study specifically assessed CA19-9 levels and tumor size before and after NAT.

RESULTS

A total of 156 patients who completed NAT and subsequently underwent tumor resection were included in this study. The average age was 65.4 ± 10.6 years and 72 (46.2%) patients were female. Before survival analysis, we defined the post-NAT serum CA19-9 level/pre-NAT serum CA19-9 level as the CA19-9 ratio (CR). The patients were divided into three groups: CR < 0.5, CR > 0.5 and < 1 and CR > 1. With regard to tumor size measured by both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, we defined the post-NAT tumor size/pre-NAT tumor size as the tumor size ratio (TR). The patients were then divided into three groups: TR < 0.5, TR > 0.5 and < 1 and TR > 1. Based on these groups divided according to CR and TR, we performed both overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) analyses. Log-rank tests showed that both OS and DFS were significantly different among the groups according to CR and TR (P < 0.05). CR and TR after NAT were associated with increased odds of achieving a complete or near-complete pathologic response. Moreover, CR (hazard ratio: 1.721, 95%CI: 1.373-3.762; P = 0.006), and TR (hazard ratio: 1.435, 95%CI: 1.275-4.363; P = 0.014) were identified as independent factors associated with OS.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that post-NAT serum CA19-9 level/pre-NAT serum CA19-9 level and post-NAT tumor size/pre-NAT tumor size were independent factors associated with OS in patients with PDAC who received NAT and subsequent surgical resection.

Evaluating the Quality of Online Information Regarding Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly utilized for patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Patients with cancer have high information needs and the Internet has materialized as a leading source of information for many patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the availability, accessibility, quality, and readability of online information regarding NT for PDAC.

METHODS

A search of online patient informational materials (PIMs) pertaining to NT for PDAC was conducted using a combination of common search engines and browsers. Two independent researchers evaluated the readability, quality, and availability of unique PIMs from the top 25 websites from each search using validated measures.

RESULTS

Among the 130 websites retrieved, 46 (35.4%) unique PIMs focused on treatment of PDAC. Only 30 (23%) mentioned NT as a possible treatment option. Downstaging was the rationale for NT mentioned in the majority (90%) of websites. The mean quality and reliability of the 30 PIMs, assessed using the DISCERN instrument, was 3.3 ± 0.7, suggesting moderate quality/reliability. The mean readability score, assessed using the SMOG Grade tool, was 10.96 ± 1.49, which is equivalent to an 11th grade reading level.

CONCLUSION

The low availability, poor readability, and moderate quality of online informational materials regarding NT for PDAC highlight the need for new patient-centered resources to educate patients and caregivers on an increasingly utilized treatment strategy for localized PDAC.

Radiation therapy prior to a pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma is associated with longer operative times and higher blood loss

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In patients with "borderline resectable" disease, current National Comprehensive Cancer Center guidelines recommend the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation prior to a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although neoadjuvant radiotherapy may improve negative margin resection rate, it is theorized that its administration increases operative times and complexity.

AIM

To investigate the association between neoadjuvant radiotherapy and 30-d morbidity and mortality outcomes among patients receiving a pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients listed in the 2015-2019 National Surgery Quality Improvement Program data set, who received a pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, were divided into two groups based off neoadjuvant radiotherapy status. Multivariable regression was used to determine if there is a significant correlation between neoadjuvant radiotherapy, perioperative blood transfusion status, total operative time, and other perioperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 11458 patients included in the study, 1470 (12.8%) underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Patients who received neoadjuvant radiotherapy were significantly more likely to require a perioperative blood transfusion [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-1.82; P < 0.001] and have longer surgeries (insulin receptor-related receptor = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.11-1.16; P < 0.001), while simultaneously having lower rates of organ space infections (aOR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.66-0.97; P = 0.02) and pancreatic fistula formation (aOR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.40-0.63; P < 0.001) compared to those who underwent surgery alone.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy, while not associated with increased mortality, will impact the complexity of surgical resection in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Patient Preferences for Neoadjuvant Therapy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Physicians are increasingly recommending neoadjuvant therapy (NT) before surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, patient preferences for and opinions regarding NT are poorly understood.

METHODS

Survivors and caregivers from a national PDAC patient advocacy organization completed an online survey assessing preferences for NT versus surgery first (SF) and factors influencing their decision making.

RESULTS

Among 54 participants, 74.1% had a personal history of PDAC. While most patients preferred SF for resectable disease, NT was the preferred treatment approach for borderline resectable, locally advanced, and resectable cancers with high carbohydrate antigen 19-9. The most important factor influencing patient decision making regarding NT was its impact on overall survival while the least important was published national guidelines. The most preferred rationale for NT was ability to downstage to surgical resection and early treatment of micrometastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Among a national cohort of PDAC survivors and caregivers, the majority preferred SF for resectable PDAC, whereas NT was preferred when the resectability of a tumor was in question. The impact of NT on quantity and quality of life, as well as the likelihood of achieving surgical resection, was most highly valued by participants.

Characterizing the patient experience during neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) has increasingly been utilized for patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is the recommended approach for borderline resectable (BR) and locally advanced (LA) cancers and an increasingly utilized option for potentially resectable (PR) disease. Despite its increased use, little research has focused on patient-centered metrics among patients undergoing NT, including patient experiences, preferences, and recommendations. A better understanding of all aspects of the patient experience during NT may identify opportunities to design interventions aimed at improving quality of life; it may also facilitate the completion of NT and receipt of surgery, ultimately optimizing long-term outcomes.

AIM

To understand the experience of patients initiating and receiving NT to identify opportunities to improve neoadjuvant cancer care delivery.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews of patients with localized PDAC during NT were conducted to explore their experience initiating and receiving NT. Interviews took place between August 2020 and October 2021. Due to the descriptive nature of the research, questions were open ended. Interviews were conducted over the phone, audio recorded and then transcribed. All interviews were coded by two independent researchers using NVivo 12, iteratively identifying themes until thematic saturation was achieved. An integrative approach to qualitative analysis was used, utilizing both inductive and deductive methods.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients with localized PDAC were interviewed. Patients with BR (n = 7), PR (n = 2), and LA (n = 3) cancers participated in the study. All patients indicated that choosing NT was the doctor’s recommendation, while most reported not being familiar with the concept of NT (n = 11) and that NT was presented as the only option (n = 8). Five themes describing the patient experience emerged: physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, coping mechanisms, access to care, and life factors. The most commonly cited recommendation for improving the experience of NT was improved education before and during NT (n = 7). Patients highlighted the need for more information on the rationale behind choosing NT prior to surgery, the anticipated surgery and its likelihood of surgery occurring after NT, as well as general information prior to starting NT treatment. The need for seeing different members of the healthcare team, including ancillary services was also frequently cited as a recommendation for improving the experience of NT (n = 5).

CONCLUSION

This study provides a framework to allow for a better understanding of the PDAC patient experience during NT and highlights opportunities to improve quality and quantity of life outcomes.

Upregulation of PODXL and ITGB1 in pancreatic cancer tissues preoperatively obtained by EUS-FNAB correlates with unfavorable prognosis of postoperative pancreatic cancer patients

The upregulation of PODXL and ITGB1 in surgically resected pancreatic cancer tissues is correlated with an unfavorable postoperative prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PODXL and ITGB1 are useful preoperative markers for the prognosis of postoperative pancreatic cancer patients in comparison with the TNM staging system. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-PODXL and anti-ITGB1 antibodies on 24 pancreatic cancer tissue samples preoperatively obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to investigate if the UICC TNM stage and upregulation of PODXL and ITGB1 were correlated with postoperative overall survival rates. Univariate analysis revealed that PODXL, TNM stage, lymphatic invasion and the combination of PODXL with ITGB1 are correlated with postoperative survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated TNM stage and the combination of PODXL with ITGB1 to be correlated with postoperative survival, and the combination of PODXL with ITGB1 most accurately predicted the postoperative outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients before resection. Therefore, upregulation of PODXL and ITGB1 may indicate preoperative neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer patients by accurately predicting the postoperative prognosis.

Impact of care fragmentation on the outcomes of patients receiving neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly used for localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The impact of care fragmentation during NT on the outcomes of patients with PDAC is unknown.

METHODS

Adult patients with Stage I-III PDAC who received NT and patients who underwent surgery first followed by adjuvant therapy (AT) between 2004 and 2016 were queried from the National Cancer Database. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between patients who received fragmented care (FC; care provided at >1 hospital) versus integrated care (IC; care at a single institution).

RESULTS

Among 6522 patients who underwent NT before pancreatectomy, 3755 (57.6%) received FC and 2767 (42.4%) received IC. While patients who received FC had a longer time to initiation of treatment (33.2 vs. 29.7 days, p < 0.001), there was no difference in median overall survival (OS) (26.7 vs. 26.5 months, p = 0.6). Among patients who underwent upfront surgery followed by AT (n = 15 291), patients who received FC had a longer time from diagnosis to undergoing surgery but less time from surgery to AT and no difference in OS (24.0 vs. 24.0 months, p = 0.910).

CONCLUSION

Although care fragmentation was associated with slightly longer times to initiate and complete treatment among patients with localized PDAC, long-term survival outcomes were similar.

Neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Opportunities for personalized cancer care

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy that is best treated in a multidisciplinary fashion using surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy has shown to have a significant survival benefit in patients with resected PDAC. However, up to 50% of patients fail to receive adjuvant chemotherapy due to postoperative complications, poor patient performance status or early disease progression. In order to ensure the delivery of chemotherapy, an alternative strategy is to administer systemic treatment prior to surgery. Precision oncology refers to the application of diverse strategies to target therapies specific to characteristics of a patient’s cancer. While traditionally emphasized in selecting targeted therapies based on molecular, genetic, and radiographic biomarkers for patients with metastatic disease, the neoadjuvant setting is a prime opportunity to utilize personalized approaches. In this article, we describe the current evidence for the use of neoadjuvant therapy (NT) and highlight unique opportunities for personalized care in patients with PDAC undergoing NT.

Trends in the utilization of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

For patients with localized pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly delivered before surgery to maximize the receipt of multimodality therapy and the odds of a margin-negative resection. Three decades of refining the use of NT have led to its acceptance as a valid treatment approach for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In this review, we discuss the rationale for and recent global trends in the utilization of NT for patients with pancreatic cancer.

National Trends in the Use of Neoadjuvant Therapy Before Cancer Surgery in the US From 2004 to 2016

This cohort study uses information obtained from the US National Cancer Database to evaluate trends in the use of neoadjuvant therapy before tumor resection for various types of cancer from 2004 to 2016.

Patient experience and quality of life during neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and study protocol

PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly being offered to patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) prior to surgical resection. However, the experience and quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing NT are poorly understood.

METHODS

A systematic review of the Cinahl, Embase, Medline, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted to evaluate the available literature pertaining to the experience and QOL of patient's undergoing NT for PDAC.

RESULTS

Among 6041 articles screened, only six met criteria for full-text review including three prospective clinical trials of NT with QOL secondary endpoints. Overall, global QOL during or following NT did not significantly change from baseline. Pain scores seemed to improve during NT while the impact of NT on physical functioning varied across studies. No studies were identified evaluating other aspects of the patient experience.

CONCLUSION

Although NT appears to have a minor impact on the QOL of patients with PDAC, this systematic review identified significant evidence gaps in the literature. A protocol of a prospective observational cohort study utilizing a digital smartphone app that aims to evaluate the patient experience and longitudinal QOL of patients with PDAC undergoing NT is presented.