A phase II study of siG12D-LODER in combination with chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (PROTACT)

TPS4672

Background: KRAS alterations are the most frequent driver alterations identified in pancreas cancer; however, KRAS has remained an elusive therapeutic target. siG12D-LODER is a novel, miniature bio-degradable polymeric matrix encompassing a novel small interfering RNA targeting KRAS G12D and all additional G12X mutations (G12C, G12V...). The siG12D-LODER is inserted directly into the pancreas tumor via endoscopic intervention. A Phase 1/2a dose escalation and expansion study of patients receiving a one-time dose of siG12D-LODER with ongoing chemotherapy demonstrated that the combination was well-tolerated and safe and exhibited promising potential efficacy with 10/12 patients achieving disease control and median overall survival 15.1 months (Golan, Oncotarget 2015). Methods: This phase 2 study was initially designed as a randomized, two arm, open label study of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with or without siG12D-LODER for patients with locally advanced pancreas cancer with planned 40 patients in each arm and primary endpoint of progression-free survival. Eighteen patients were enrolled in the chemotherapy alone arm and 18 in the chemotherapy and siG12D-LODER arm. After an interim analysis, the study design has been amended and is now a single arm study in which patients (N=39) with both borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreas cancer will receive investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (the combination of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel or modified FOLFIRINOX) and all patients will receive up to three doses of the siG12D-LODER administered once every 12 weeks. Primary endpoint is overall response rate after final siG12D-LODER insertion. Secondary endpoints include duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, time to response, percentage of patients proceeding to surgical resection, and percentage of patients receiving radiation therapy. Exploratory analyses include evaluation of KRAS mutation status and monitoring of circulating free DNA and circulating tumor cells. The amended protocol is now open for accrual and four patients having been enrolled to date. Trial accrual is anticipated to be completed by December 2020. Clinical trial information: NCT01676259 .

A Large Multicenter Experience With Endoscopic Suturing for Management of Gastrointestinal Defects and Stent Anchorage in 122 Patients: A Retrospective Review

GOALS

To describe a multicenter experience using an endoscopic suturing device for management of gastrointestinal (GI) defects and stent anchorage.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic closure of GI defects including perforations, fistulas, and anastomotic leaks as well as stent anchorage has improved with technological advances. An endoscopic suturing device (OverStitch; Apollo Endosurgery Inc.) has been used.

STUDY

Retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic suturing for management of GI defects and/or stent anchorage were enrolled between March 2012 and January 2014 at multiple academic medical centers. Data regarding demographic information and outcomes including long-term success were collected.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-two patients (mean age, 52.6 y; 64.2% females) underwent endoscopic suturing at 8 centers for stent anchorage (n=47; 38.5%), fistulas (n=40; 32.7%), leaks (n=15; 12.3%), and perforations (n=20; 16.4%). A total of 44.2% underwent prior therapy and 97.5% achieved technical success. Immediate clinical success was achieved in 79.5%. Long-term clinical success was noted in 78.8% with mean follow-up of 68 days. Clinical success was 91.4% in stent anchorage, 93% in perforations, 80% in fistulas, but only 27% in anastomotic leak closure.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic suturing for management of GI defects and stent anchoring is safe and efficacious. Stent migration after stent anchoring was reduced compared with published data. Long-term success without further intervention was achieved in the majority of patients. The role of endoscopic suturing for repair of anastomotic leaks remains unclear given limited success in this retrospective study.

Advanced EUS imaging for early detection of pancreatic cancer

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-fine needle aspiration remains the gold standard for diagnosing pancreatic malignancy. However, in a subset of patients, limitations remain in regards to image quality and diagnostic yield of biopsies. Several new devices and processors have been developed that allow for enhancement of the EUS image. Initial studies of these modalities do show promise. However, cost, availability, and overall incremental benefit to EUS-fine needle aspiration have yet to be determined.

Small-bowel endoscopy core curriculum

This is one of a series of documents prepared by the ASGE Training Committee. This curriculum document contains recommendations for training, intended for use by endoscopy training directors, endoscopists involved in teaching endoscopy, and trainees in endoscopy. It was developed as an overview of techniques currently favored for the performance and training of small-bowel endoscopy and to serve as a guide to published references, videotapes, and other resources available to the trainer. By providing information to endoscopy trainers about the common practices used by experts in performing the technical aspects of the procedure, the ASGE hopes to improve the teaching and performance of small-bowel endoscopy.

Characteristics, goals, and motivations of applicants pursuing a fourth-year advanced endoscopy fellowship

BACKGROUND

The number of applications to advanced endoscopy fellowships has increased in past years. There is limited knowledge regarding why gastroenterology fellows pursue interventional/advanced endoscopy (AE) as a career.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the characteristics, goals, and motivations of applicants applying for AE fellowships.

DESIGN

A total of 101 applicants of the 2011 AE fellowship match were sent a survey via electronic mail 4 weeks after the match.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 65 applicants participated.

INTERVENTION

Study questionnaire.

RESULTS

The response rate was 64.4% (95% certainty ± 5%). By the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, 67% had decided to apply for an AE fellowship. Half stated that pursuing a career in AE was a difficult decision; primary concerns included the additional year of training and the delay in income. A total of 69% of applicants intended to pursue academics. Applicants listed endoscopic procedures (92%), exposure to mentors in the field (46%), and demand for the skill set (43%) as the most significant sources of motivation in pursuing AE. Influential factors in an applicant's decision to choose a program included high procedure volume (69%), reputation of the program (63%), and a desirable geographic location (61%). Applicants who reported difficulty in choosing AE as a career were less inclined to pursue academia as compared with those with no difficulty deciding (54.8% vs 84.4%; P = .006). These same applicants were similarly less motivated to pursue research (3.1% vs 34.3%; P = .002). Applicants who favored academia versus private practice listed mentors in the field (54% vs 25%; P = .031) and research interest (27.3% vs 0%; P = .012) as significant factors.

LIMITATIONS

One-year sample of applicants.

CONCLUSION

Although a majority of applicants decided to pursue careers in AE during the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, making the decision was difficult for half of the applicants. Motivations for choosing AE as a career differed among applicants interested in academics versus private practice.

Endoscopic management of complete colonic obstruction

A patient with metastatic rectal cancer underwent a diverting transverse loop colostomy due to rectal obstruction. 16 months later, he underwent a low anterior resection to resect his rectal cancer along with reversal of his transverse colostomy, and creation of a temporary loop ileostomy. Six months later, he was brought to the operating room for closure of his ileostomy. Post-operatively, the patient developed nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention and imaging revealed a large bowel obstruction, confirmed by colonoscopy. The patient refused surgical diversion and a cecostomy tube was placed for decompression. After maturation of the cecostomy fistula, a rendezvous colonoscopy was performed, retrograde through the rectum and antegrade through the cecostomy fistula. The obstructing mucosa was traversed and the site of obstruction was balloon dilated, relieving the obstruction endoscopically.

Molecular analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid: a comparative analysis with current practice of diagnosis

BACKGROUND

The management of patients with pancreatic cysts is based on the preoperative distinction of nonmucinous and mucinous cysts in general and of benign and malignant cysts in particular. An accurate diagnosis is challenging, because endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and cyst fluid analysis for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytology have low sensitivity and specificity. Currently, molecular analysis is a commercially available test that promises an accurate diagnosis. The objective of the current study was to correlate a commercially provided molecular diagnosis (MDx) with a clinical consensus diagnosis (CCD) in the general categories of malignant, benign mucinous, and benign nonmucinous pancreatic cysts.

METHODS

Pancreatic cysts that had aspirated fluid submitted for a commercially available molecular test (PathFinderTG) were reviewed. The CCD, defined by histology, malignant cytology, or 2 concordant tests (such as EUS, cytology, or CEA >/=192 ng/mL for mucinous cysts), was categorized as malignant, benign mucinous, or benign nonmucinous cyst in 35 patients. Their MDx, based on the PathFinderTG report, including analysis of k-ras mutation, loss of heterozygosity, and quantity/quality of DNA, also was classified as malignant, benign mucinous, or benign nonmucinous cyst. These 2 diagnoses were compared and correlated.

RESULTS

The concordance between CCD and MDx was 5 of 6 (83%), 13 of 15 (87%), and 13 of 14 (93%), respectively, for malignant, benign mucinous, and benign nonmucinous cysts, with an overall Cohen kappa statistic of 0.816. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the MDx were 83%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for a malignant cyst and 86%, 93%, and 95%, respectively for a benign mucinous cyst.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid adds diagnostic value to the preoperative diagnosis with high sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of malignant and benign mucinous pancreatic cysts.