A randomized trial comparing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil versus preoperative chemotherapy for localized advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus (JCOG9907)

BACKGROUND

Patients with esophageal carcinoma receiving postoperative chemotherapy showed superior disease-free survival than those receiving surgery alone in a Japan Clinical Oncology Group trial (JCOG9204). The purpose of this study was to evaluate optimal perioperative timing-that is, before or after surgery-for providing chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Eligible patients with clinical stage II or III, excluding T4, squamous cell carcinoma were randomized to undergo surgery followed (group 1) or preceded (group 2) by chemotherapy consisting of two courses of cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil. The primary end point was progression-free survival.

RESULTS

We randomized 330 patients, with 166 assigned to group 1 and 164 to group 2, between May 2000 and May 2006. The planned interim analysis was conducted after completion of patient accrual. Progression-free survival did not reach the stopping boundary, but overall survival in group 2 was superior to that of group 1 (P = 0.01). Therefore, the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee recommended early publication. Updated analyses showed the 5-year overall survival to be 43% in group 1 and 55% in group 2 (hazard ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.54-0.99, P = 0.04), where the median follow-up of censored patients was 61.6 months. Concerning operative morbidity, renal dysfunction after surgery in group 2 was slightly higher than in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil can be regarded as standard treatment for patients with stage II/III squamous cell carcinoma.

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Previously Treated HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201) is an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of an anti-HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) antibody, a cleavable tetrapeptide-based linker, and a cytotoxic topoisomerase I inhibitor. The drug may have efficacy in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

In an open-label, randomized, phase 2 trial, we evaluated trastuzumab deruxtecan as compared with chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. Patients with centrally confirmed HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma that had progressed while they were receiving at least two previous therapies, including trastuzumab, were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan (6.4 mg per kilogram of body weight every 3 weeks) or physician's choice of chemotherapy. The primary end point was the objective response, according to independent central review. Secondary end points included overall survival, response duration, progression-free survival, confirmed response (response persisting ≥4 weeks), and safety.

RESULTS

Of 187 treated patients, 125 received trastuzumab deruxtecan and 62 chemotherapy (55 received irinotecan and 7 paclitaxel). An objective response was reported in 51% of the patients in the trastuzumab deruxtecan group, as compared with 14% of those in the physician's choice group (P<0.001). Overall survival was longer with trastuzumab deruxtecan than with chemotherapy (median, 12.5 vs. 8.4 months; hazard ratio for death, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.39 to 0.88; P = 0.01, which crossed the prespecified O'Brien-Fleming boundary [0.0202 on the basis of number of deaths]). The most common adverse events of grade 3 or higher were a decreased neutrophil count (in 51% of the trastuzumab deruxtecan group and 24% of the physician's choice group), anemia (38% and 23%, respectively), and decreased white-cell count (21% and 11%). A total of 12 patients had trastuzumab deruxtecan-related interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis (grade 1 or 2 in 9 patients and grade 3 or 4 in 3), as adjudicated by an independent committee. One drug-related death (due to pneumonia) was noted in the trastuzumab deruxtecan group; no drug-related deaths occurred in the physician's choice group.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapy with trastuzumab deruxtecan led to significant improvements in response and overall survival, as compared with standard therapies, among patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. Myelosuppression and interstitial lung disease were the notable toxic effects. (Funded by Daiichi Sankyo; DESTINY-Gastric01 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03329690.).

Phase III Trial Comparing Intraperitoneal and Intravenous Paclitaxel Plus S-1 Versus Cisplatin Plus S-1 in Patients With Gastric Cancer With Peritoneal Metastasis: PHOENIX-GC Trial

Purpose Intraperitoneal paclitaxel plus systemic chemotherapy demonstrated promising clinical effects in patients with gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. We aimed to verify its superiority over standard systemic chemotherapy in overall survival. Patients and Methods This randomized phase III trial enrolled patients with gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis who had received no or short-term (< 2 months) chemotherapy. Patients were randomly assigned at a two-to-one ratio to receive intraperitoneal and intravenous paclitaxel plus S-1 (IP; intraperitoneal paclitaxel 20 mg/m² and intravenous paclitaxel 50 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 plus S-1 80 mg/m² per day on days 1 to 14 for a 3-week cycle) or S-1 plus cisplatin (SP; S-1 80 mg/m² per day on days 1 to 21 plus cisplatin 60 mg/m² on day 8 for a 5-week cycle), stratified by center, previous chemotherapy, and extent of peritoneal metastasis. The primary end point was overall survival. Secondary end points were response rate, 3-year overall survival rate, and safety. Results We enrolled 183 patients and performed efficacy analyses in 164 eligible patients. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the arms, except that patients in the IP arm had significantly more ascites. The median survival times for the IP and SP arms were 17.7 and 15.2 months, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.04; stratified log-rank P = .080). In the sensitivity analysis adjusted for baseline ascites, the hazard ratio was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.39 to 0.87; P = .008). The 3-year overall survival rate was 21.9% (95% CI, 14.9% to 29.9%) in the IP arm and 6.0% (95% CI, 1.6% to 14.9%) in the SP arm. Both regimens were well tolerated. Conclusion This trial failed to show statistical superiority of intraperitoneal paclitaxel plus systemic chemotherapy. However, the exploratory analyses suggested possible clinical benefits of intraperitoneal paclitaxel for gastric cancer.

Gastrectomy with or without neoadjuvant S-1 plus cisplatin for type 4 or large type 3 gastric cancer (JCOG0501): an open-label, phase 3, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Specific treatment strategies are sorely needed for scirrhous-type gastric cancer still, which has poor prognosis. Based on the promising results of our previous phase II study (JCOG0210), we initiated a phase III study to confirm the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in type 4 or large type 3 gastric cancer.

METHODS

Patients aged 20-75 years without a macroscopic unresectable factor as confirmed via staging laparoscopy were randomly assigned to surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 (Arm A) or NAC (S-1plus cisplatin) followed by D2 gastrectomy plus adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 (Arm B). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Between October 2005 and July 2013, 316 patients were enrolled, allocating 158 patients to each arm. In Arm B, in which NAC was completed in 88% of patients. Significant downstaging based on tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, and peritoneal cytology was observed using NAC. Excluding the initial 16 patients randomized before the first revision of the protocol, 149 and 151 patients in arms A and B, respectively, were included in the primary analysis. The 3-year OS rates were 62.4% [95% confidence interval (CI)  54.1-69.6] in Arm A and 60.9% (95% CI  52.7-68.2) in Arm B. The hazard ratio of Arm B against Arm A was 0.916 (95% CI  0.679-1.236).

CONCLUSIONS

For type 4 or large type 3 gastric cancer, NAC with S-1 plus cisplatin failed to demonstrate a survival benefit. D2 surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy remains the standard treatment.

Role of staging laparoscopy with peritoneal lavage cytology in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

More accurate preoperative staging is necessary to determine the treatment strategy for locally advanced gastric cancer. Laparoscopy has been suggested as an appropriate staging modality. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of staging laparoscopy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

One hundred patients with primary gastric adenocarcinoma underwent laparoscopy with peritoneal lavage cytology. The disease stages determined were compared with those obtained by conventional methods.

RESULTS

The disease stages were corrected after laparoscopy for 47 of the 100 patients (47%), with downstaging in 3 (3.0%) and upstaging in 44 (44%). Peritoneal deposits were found in 7 patients with peritoneal dissemination diagnosed by conventional examination. An unsuspected peritoneal deposit was found in 21 of 93 patients (22.6%), and unsuspected free cancer cells without deposits were found in 27 of 93 patients (29.0%). Gastrectomy after staging laparoscopy was performed in 39 patients. Laparoscopy showed no peritoneal deposits in any of these patients. Free cancer cells were found in 9 patients (23.1%), but 4 of these had peritoneal deposits at operation. R0 resection was performed in 34 of the 39 patients (87.2%). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy after staging laparoscopy was performed in 35 patients. All 35 patients underwent gastrectomy, which resulted in 27 R0 and 8 R2 resections. Of 18 patients with positive cytology at laparoscopy, 11 had no free cancer cells at operation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy induced downstaging of the disease in 11 of the 18 patients with positive cytology (61.1%). Of 26 patients with massive peritoneal deposits, 4 underwent palliative resection because of pyloric stenosis. Twenty-two patients (22.0%) were able to avoid unnecessary laparotomy because of the staging laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Staging laparoscopy with peritoneal lavage cytology is a safe, effective tool in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, especially in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal cancer (KEYNOTE-585): an interim analysis of the multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase 3 study

BACKGROUND

The benefit of combination neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma is unknown. We assess the antitumor activity of neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The KEYNOTE-585 study is a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 study done at 143 medical centres in 24 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with untreated, locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by an interactive voice response system and integrated web response system to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously or placebo (saline) plus cisplatin-based doublet chemotherapy (main cohort) every 3 weeks for 3 cycles, followed by surgery, adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo plus chemotherapy for 3 cycles, then adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo for 11 cycles. A small cohort was also randomly assigned (1:1) to pembrolizumab or placebo plus fluorouracil, docetaxel, and oxaliplatin (FLOT)-based chemotherapy (FLOT cohort) every 2 weeks for four cycles, followed by surgery, adjuvant pembrolizumab, or placebo plus FLOT for four cycles, then adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo for 11 cycles. Patients were stratified by geographic region, tumour stage, and chemotherapy backbone. Primary endpoints were pathological complete response (reviewed centrally), event-free survival (reviewed by the investigator), and overall survival in the intention-to-treat population, and safety assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03221426, and is closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 9, 2017, and Jan 25, 2021, of 1254 patients screened, 804 were randomly assigned to the main cohort, of whom 402 were assigned to the pembrolizumab plus cisplatin-based chemotherapy group and 402 to the placebo plus cisplatin-based chemotherapy group, and 203 to the FLOT cohort, of whom 100 were assigned to the pembrolizumab plus FLOT group and 103 to placebo plus FLOT group. In the main cohort of 804 participants, 575 (72%) were male and 229 (28%) were female. In the main cohort, after median follow-up of 47·7 months (IQR 38·0-54·8), pembrolizumab was superior to placebo for pathological complete response (52 [12·9%; 95% CI 9·8-16·6] of 402 vs eight [2·0%; 0·9-3·9] of 402; difference 10·9%, 95% CI 7·5 to 14·8; p<0·00001). Median event-free survival was longer with pembrolizumab versus placebo (44·4 months, 95% CI 33·0 to not reached vs 25·3 months, 20·6 to 33·9; hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·67 to 0·99; p=0·0198) but did not meet the threshold for statistical significance (p=0·0178). Median overall survival was 60·7 months (95% CI 51·5 to not reached) in the pembrolizumab group versus 58·0 months (41·5 to not reached) in the placebo group (HR 0·90, 95% CI 0·73 to 1·12; p=0·174). Grade 3 or worse adverse events of any cause occurred in 312 (78%) of 399 patients in the pembrolizumab group and 297 (74%) of 400 patients in the placebo group; the most common were nausea (240 [60%] vs 247 [62%]), anaemia (168 [42%] vs 158 [40%]), and decreased appetite (163 [41%] vs 172 [43%]). Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 102 (26%) and 97 (24%) patients. Treatment-related adverse events that led to death occurred in four (1%) patients in the pembrolizumab group (interstitial ischaemia, pneumonia, decreased appetite, and acute kidney injury [n=1 each]) and two (<1%) patients in the placebo group (neutropenic sepsis and neutropenic colitis [n=1 each]).

INTERPRETATION

Although neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo improved the pathological complete response, it did not translate to significant improvement in event-free survival in patients with untreated, locally advanced resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal cancer.

FUNDING

Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Anti-Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Treatment-Naive Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Low Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: Exploratory Cohort Results in a Phase II Trial

PURPOSE

To investigate efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-low (cohort 1, immunohistochemistry 2+/in situ hybridization-negative; cohort 2, immunohistochemistry 1+) gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with at least two prior regimens, including fluoropyrimidine and platinum, but anti-HER2 therapy naive, received T-DXd 6.4 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks. The primary end point was confirmed objective response rate by independent central review.

RESULTS

Among 21 patients enrolled in cohort 1 and 24 enrolled in cohort 2, 19 and 21 patients, respectively, had central HER2 confirmation, received T-DXd, and had measurable tumors at baseline. The confirmed objective response rate was 26.3% (95% CI, 9.1 to 51.2) from five partial responses in cohort 1 and 9.5% (95% CI, 1.2 to 30.4) from two partial responses in cohort 2. Thirteen patients (68.4%) in cohort 1 and 12 (60.0%) in cohort 2 experienced reduced tumor size. The median overall survival was 7.8 months (95% CI, 4.7 to nonevaluable) in cohort 1 and 8.5 months (95% CI, 4.3 to 10.9) in cohort 2; the median progression-free survival was 4.4 months (95% CI, 2.7 to 7.1) and 2.8 months (95% CI, 1.5 to 4.3), respectively. The most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events in cohorts 1 and 2 were anemia (30.0% and 29.2%), decreased neutrophil count (25.0% and 29.2%), and decreased appetite (20.0% and 20.8%). Drug-related interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis occurred in one patient in each cohort (grade 1 or 2). No drug-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

This study provides preliminary evidence that T-DXd has clinical activity in patients with heavily pretreated HER2-low gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma.

Actionable gene-based classification toward precision medicine in gastric cancer

Background

Intertumoral heterogeneity represents a significant hurdle to identifying optimized targeted therapies in gastric cancer (GC). To realize precision medicine for GC patients, an actionable gene alteration-based molecular classification that directly associates GCs with targeted therapies is needed.

Methods

A total of 207 Japanese patients with GC were included in this study. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues were obtained from surgical or biopsy specimens and were subjected to DNA extraction. We generated comprehensive genomic profiling data using a 435-gene panel including 69 actionable genes paired with US Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted therapies, and the evaluation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and microsatellite instability (MSI) status.

Results

Comprehensive genomic sequencing detected at least one alteration of 435 cancer-related genes in 194 GCs (93.7%) and of 69 actionable genes in 141 GCs (68.1%). We classified the 207 GCs into four The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) subtypes using the genomic profiling data; EBV (N = 9), MSI (N = 17), chromosomal instability (N = 119), and genomically stable subtype (N = 62). Actionable gene alterations were not specific and were widely observed throughout all TCGA subtypes. To discover a novel classification which more precisely selects candidates for targeted therapies, 207 GCs were classified using hypermutated phenotype and the mutation profile of 69 actionable genes. We identified a hypermutated group (N = 32), while the others (N = 175) were sub-divided into six clusters including five with actionable gene alterations: ERBB2 (N = 25), CDKN2A, and CDKN2B (N = 10), KRAS (N = 10), BRCA2 (N = 9), and ATM cluster (N = 12). The clinical utility of this classification was demonstrated by a case of unresectable GC with a remarkable response to anti-HER2 therapy in the ERBB2 cluster.

Conclusions

This actionable gene-based classification creates a framework for further studies for realizing precision medicine in GC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13073-017-0484-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long-term survival outcomes of advanced gastric cancer patients who achieved a pathological complete response with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

A pathologic complete response (pCR) can sometimes be induced by intensive or long-term neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This prognostic research study based on a systematic review of the literature evaluated the impact of a pCR on the long-term survival of gastric cancer (GC) patients.

METHODS

Articles were extracted from PubMed and the Japanese medical search engine "Ichu-shi," using the terms "GC," "NAC," and "pCR." Articles were selected based on the following criteria: (1) full-text case report, (2) R0 resection following NAC for locally advanced GC, and (3) pathological complete response in both the primary stomach and in the lymph nodes. A questionnaire regarding the patients' prognoses was sent to the corresponding authors of the articles selected in July 2013.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles met the criteria. Twenty authors responded to the questionnaire. Finally, 22 patients from 20 articles were entered into the present study. The median follow-up time (range) of the survivors was 76 (range 13-161) months. Tumors that were stage III/IV (86%: 19/22) and of an undifferentiated histology (61.9%: 13/21) were dominant. An S1-based regimen was frequently selected for the NAC. All patients underwent R0 resection and D2/D3 lymphadenectomy. The overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 96% and 85% and 91% and 75%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a pCR was a relatively rare event, a high pCR rate would be helpful to select the regimen and courses of NAC, especially when the pathological response rates are similar.

Oncological outcomes of function-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: a multicenter propensity score matched cohort analysis comparing pylorus-preserving gastrectomy versus conventional distal gastrectomy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the oncological safety of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) compared with conventional distal gastrectomy (DG).

METHODS

From three institutions specializing in cancer, the medical records for a cohort of 2898 consecutive patients who had undergone DG (n = 2208) or PPG (n = 690) for clinical stage I gastric cancer between January 2006 and December 2012 were analyzed. A propensity score for each patient was estimated on the basis of 38 preoperative clinical and tumor-related factors. After propensity score matching had been done, 1004 patients (502 DG patients, 502 PPG patients) were included in the analysis. The overall survival, relapse-free survival, and occurrence of secondary gastric cancer were then compared. The median observation period was 48.6 months (range 1-109.8 months).

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rate was 98.4 % for the PPG group and 96.6 % for the DG group (hazard ratio 0.48, 95 % confidence interval 0.21-1.09, P = 0.07). The 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 99.5 % for the PPG group and 98.0 % for the DG group (hazard ratio 0.39, 95 % confidence interval 0.12-1.33, P = 0.12). Postoperative secondary gastric cancer was encountered in eight patients (1.6 %) in the PPG group and four patients (0.8 %) in the DG group. No significant differences in either overall survival, relapse-free survival, or the occurrence of secondary gastric cancer were observed between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the adequate estimation of the clinical tumor stage, the oncological safety of PPG for clinical T1N0 gastric cancer in the middle portion of the stomach was comparable to that of DG.

Gastrectomy with or without omentectomy for cT3–4 gastric cancer: a multicentre cohort study

Background

Omentectomy is performed widely for locally advanced gastric cancer to prevent disease recurrence. However, its clinical benefit is unknown.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study compared the outcome of gastrectomy with preservation of the omentum (GPO) and gastrectomy with resection of the omentum (GRO) among patients with cT3–T4 gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between 2006 and 2012 in one of five participating institutions. A consensus conference identified 28 variables potentially associated with outcome after gastrectomy for the estimation of propensity scores, and propensity score matching (PSM) was undertaken to control for possible confounders. Postoperative surgical outcomes, overall survival and disease recurrence were compared between GPO and GRO.

Results

A total of 1758 patients were identified, of whom 526 remained after PSM, 263 in each group. Median follow-up was 4·9 (i.q.r. 3·1–5·9) years in the GRO group and 5·0 (2·5–6·8) years in the GPO group. The incidence of postoperative complications of Clavien–Dindo grade III or more was significantly higher in the GRO group (17·5 versus 10·3 per cent; P = 0·016). Five-year overall survival rates were 77·1 per cent in the GRO group and 79·4 per cent in the GPO group (P = 0·749). There were no significant differences in recurrence rate or pattern of recurrence between the groups.

Conclusion

Overall survival and disease recurrence were comparable in patients with cT3–4 gastric cancer who underwent GPO or GRO.

Nomogram for 5-year relapse-free survival of a patient with advanced gastric cancer after surgery

BACKGROUND

Prognoses vary substantially among patients with advanced gastric cancer following curative surgery. The aim of the current study was to develop and verify the validity of a novel nomogram that predicts the probability of 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients who underwent curative resection for stage II/III gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nomogram to predict 5-year RFS following surgical resection of gastric cancer was constructed based on the data of patients who underwent surgery for primary gastric carcinoma at three institutions in Japan in January 2001-December 2006. Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed, and the nomogram's predictive accuracy (discrimination) and the agreement between observed outcomes and predictions (calibration) were evaluated by internal validation.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses revealed that age at operation, depth of tumor, tumor location, lymph node classification, and presence of combined resection were significant prognostic factors for RFS. In the internal validation, discrimination of the developed nomogram for 5-year RFS was superior to that of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification (concordance indices of 0.80 versus 0.67; P < 0.001). Moreover, calibration appeared to be accurate. Based on these results, we have created free software to more easily predict 5-year RFS.

CONCLUSION

We developed and validated a nomogram to predict 5-year RFS after curative surgery for stage II/III gastric cancer. This tool will be useful for the assessing a patient's individual recurrence risk when considering additional therapy in clinical practice.

Phylogenetic relationships of entomopathogenic nematophilic bacteria: Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus sp

Phylogenetic relationships of Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus sp. were investigated on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus sp. were grouped together with Proteus vulgaris and Arsenophonus nasoniae. This group was distant from other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Xenorhabdus japonicus, previously proposed as a new species, was nearly located to Xenorhabdus nematophilus. Signature nucleotides of X. japonicus were identified that distinguish it other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.

Comparison of the surgical treatment strategies for Siewert type II squamous cell carcinoma in the same area as esophagogastric junction carcinoma: data from a single Japanese high-volume cancer center

Purpose

Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) existing in the same area have distinct clinicopathological characteristics. The objective of this study was to examine differences in the surgical treatment and survival data, according to the histological subtype, in a single high-volume cancer center.

Methods

We retrospectively examined data from a total of 123 patients. Seventy-two patients with Siewert type II ADC and 51 patients with SCC in the same area.

Results

In terms of the clinicopathological factors, the SCC patients had more advanced stage disease and thoracotomy was more frequently performed than in the ADC patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates did not differ significantly between SCC and ADC, regardless of whether or not mediastinal, splenic hilum and para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed. Based on the calculated index for the frequency of nodal metastasis and the five-year OS rate for involvement at each level, only node nos. 1, 2, 3 and 7 had a high index (>5) in both groups. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that only age (<65), the pN category and residual tumor classification were independently associated with the outcome.

Conclusions

Differences in the histological type of esophagogastric junction cancer were not independent prognostic factors for survival, and there appears to be a benefit to dissecting the number 1, 2, 3 and 7 lymph nodes.

Real-world effectiveness of nivolumab in advanced gastric cancer: the DELIVER trial (JACCRO GC-08)

BACKGROUND

There is no large real-world data regarding efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in gastric cancer (GC). Although some tumors can grow rapidly after immunotherapy, the patient proportions and survival outcomes are unclear in GC.

METHODS

A multicenter, prospective observational study was performed to evaluate clinical outcomes including survival time, safety, and tumor behavior of nivolumab treatment for patients with advanced GC. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoints included response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor growth rate (TGR) at first evaluation, and safety.

RESULTS

Of 501 enrolled patients, 487 were evaluable (median age 70 years, 71% male, performance status 0/1/2 [42%/44%/14%], 21% HER2-pos, 42% patients with ascites). Median OS was 5.82 months (95% CI 5.29-7.00) with a 1-year survival rate of 30% and median PFS of 1.84 months (95% CI 1.71-1.97). The DCR was 39.4% and the RR was 14.2% (95% CI 10.3-18.8) in 282 patients with measurable lesions. In 219 patients evaluable for TGR, 20.5% were identified as hyperprogressive disease (HPD). OS from the first evaluation of patients with HPD was shorter compared with non-HPD (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.25-2.51, P = 0.001), but it was not worse than that of patients with progression and non-HPD (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.72-1.53, P = 0.8). A multivariate analysis revealed the presence of peritoneal metastasis was a prognostic factor for OS and PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our real-world data demonstrated the comparable survival time to a previous clinical trial and revealed the frequency and prognosis of patients with HPD in advanced GC treated with nivolumab.

Evaluation of QOL after proximal gastrectomy using a newly developed assessment scale (PGSAS-45)

BACKGROUND

Proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy (PGEG) has been widely applied as a comparatively simple method. In this study, we used a questionnaire survey to evaluate the influence of various surgical factors on post-operative quality of life (QOL) after PGEG.

METHODS

In this post-gastrectomy syndrome assessment study, we analyzed QOL in 2,368 cases. Among these, 193 had undergone proximal gastrectomy and 115 had undergone PGEG. The Post-Gastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale (PGSAS)-45 is a questionnaire consisting of 45 items, including the SF-8, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and other symptom items seemed to be specific to post-gastrectomy. The 23 symptom items were composed of seven symptom subscales (SS), including esophageal reflux, abdominal pain, and meal-related distress. These seven SS, total symptom score, ingested amount of food per meal, necessity for additional meals, quality of ingestion SS, ability to work, dissatisfaction with symptoms, dissatisfaction with the meal, dissatisfaction with working, dissatisfaction with daily life SS and change in body weight were evaluated as main outcome measures. In PGEG cases, we evaluated the influence on QOL of various surgical factors, such as procedures to prevent gastroesophageal regurgitation and size of the remnant stomach.

RESULTS

The scores for esophageal reflux and dissatisfaction with the meal were higher in patients who had not undergone an anti-reflux procedure. In most cases, the preserved remnant stomach was more than two-thirds the size of the pre-operative stomach. When comparing patients with a remnant stomach two-thirds the pre-operative size and those with more than three-quarters, the diarrhea SS and necessity for additional meals scores were lower in the group with more than three-quarters. The indigestion, constipation, and abdominal pain subscales, and the total symptom score, were higher in patients who had not undergone pyloric bougie than in those who had.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that QOL was better in patients with a large remnant stomach. Procedures to prevent gastroesophageal reflux, and the use of pyloric bougie as a complementary drainage procedure, were considered effective ways to reduce the deterioration of QOL.

Different characteristics of hepatoid and non-hepatoid alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric carcinomas: an experimental study using xenografted tumors

The characteristics, including metastatic potential, of 5 xenografts of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric carcinomas in nude mice, designated TSG1, TSG3, TSG11, TSG17 and TSG20, were examined. Of these xenografts, TSG1, TSG11 and TSG20 were regarded as hepatoid adenocarcinomas based on their morphological resemblance to hepatocellular carcinoma, frequent immunoreactivity for liver-cell markers, and excessive production of AFP with a high concanavalin A (Con-A)-binding property of hepatic type. On the other hand, TSG3 and TSG17 tumors showed the features of poorly differentiated medullary adenocarcinoma with scattered AFP-positive cells consistent with low AFP levels in mouse sera, and negative immunoreactivity for other liver-cell markers. Ultrastructurally, these tumors were composed of undifferentiated cells with a little adenocarcinomatous differentiation. Moreover, the AFP produced by TSG3 and TSG17 tumors had an extremely high Con-A nonbound fraction (80% to 90%), which was different from that of the hepatic or yolk-sac types. Therefore, both TSG3 and TSG17 tumors were regarded as non-hepatoid, poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas which could be differentiated from any types of AFP-producing gastric carcinoma. Furthermore, cells from hepatoid adenocarcinoma strains (TSG1, TSG11 and TSG20) injected into the spleens of nude mice produced liver metastases in all the mice examined, whereas cells from non-hepatoid carcinoma strains (TSG3 and TSG17) produced few or no liver metastases. Our data show that some non-hepatoid AFP-producing gastric carcinomas have lower liver-metastasizing potential than hepatoid AFP-producing gastric carcinomas.

Apoptosis and Bbcl-2 expression in gastric carcinomas: correlation withclinicopathological variables, p53 expression, cell proliferation and prognosis

We investigated apoptosis and Bcl-2 expression in 221 advanced gastric carcinomas in correlation with clinicopathological variables, p53 expression, cell proliferation and prognosis, using the in situ DNA nick end labeling method and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was associated with high immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Bcl-2 expression correlated with a low apoptotic index and less malignant behavior of tumors. Prognostically, Bcl-2 expression was associated with a better prognosis, whereas p53 expression was the most important prognostic risk factor. Thus, apoptosis in gastric carcinomas is associated with cell proliferation, and Bcl-2 expression may have a prognostic importance as well as p53 expression.

Phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin followed by D2 gastrectomy with adjuvant S-1 in locally advanced gastric cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG1509 (NAGISA trial)

TPS4134

Background: In Japan, while post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin is standard care for pStage II/III gastric cancer after curative resection with D2 lymph node dissection, the clinical outcomes of pStage III patients are not satisfactory. In Europe, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by gastrectomy is standard. The Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) has conducted several phase II trials of NAC, and deemed NAC as one of the most promising treatment strategies for gastric cancer with lymph node metastasis (Stage III). However, no established criteria exists for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis. JCOG1302A which was a cross-sectional study evaluating the accuracy of preoperative staging by imaging, showed that cT3-4N1-3M0 (positive lymph node was defined as that with a long axis diameter ≥ 10 mm or short axis diameter ≥ 8 mm) included just 6.5% overdiagnosed pStage I patients and accounted for 52.6% of all pStage III patients. Methods: JCOG1509 (UMIN000024065) is designed as a randomized phase III study to confirm the survival superiority of addition of NAC to standard treatment for patients with cT3-4N1-3M0 gastric cancer. In the standard arm, a gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is performed followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with oral S-1 for 1 year. In the experimental arm, combination of an infusion of oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2/day, day 1) and oral S-1 (80 mg/m2/day, days 1–14) is repeated every 3 weeks for 3 courses before gastrectomy, followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for 1 year. The primary endpoint is overall survival. The planned sample size is 470 in total with a 1-sided alpha of 5%, a power of 80%, expecting a 10% increase in the 5-year OS (60% vs 70%). Patients will be enrolled from 58 Japanese institutions over 3.5 years. The study was activated in September 2016 and, as of January 2017, 18 patients were enrolled for the study. Clinical trial information: UMIN000024065.

Conversion surgery for stage IV gastric cancer: a multicenter retrospective study

Background

Recent improvements in systemic chemotherapy have provided an opportunity for patients with stage IV gastric cancer (GC) to undergo conversion surgery (CS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent CS and to elucidate the prognostic factors for CS in stage IV GC.

Methods

A total of 79 patients who underwent CS with the aim of R0 resection for stage IV GC at six institutions from January 2008 to July 2019 were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data and prognosis.

Results

Of the 79 patients, 23 (31.1%) had initially resectable disease (IR) before chemotherapy, defined as positive for cancer on peritoneal cytology (CY1), resectable hepatic metastasis, or para-aortic lymph node No. 16a2/b1 metastasis. Of the 56 remaining patients with primary unresectable disease, 39 had peritoneal dissemination. R0 resection was accomplished in 63 patients (79.7%). The 3-year OS rates for patients with IR and unresectable disease were 78.3% and 44.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that IR (P = 0.014) and R0 (P = 0.014) were statistically significant independent prognostic factors for favorable OS. Among patients with peritoneal dissemination alone, OS was significantly better for patients with R0 resection than for patients with R1/2 resection, with the 3-year OS rates of 65.5% and 23.1%, respectively (P = 0.011).

Conclusions

CS is a treatment option for selected patients with stage IV GC. Patients with IR and patients who achieve R0 resection may obtain a survival benefit from CS.

Billroth-I vs Roux-en-Y after distal gastrectomy: A comparison of long-term nutritional status and survival rates from a large-scale multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

The optimal standard reconstruction procedure after distal gastrectomy is controversial. No large-scale persuasive clinical studies from long-term perspectives on this topic have yet been conducted.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective multicenter study analyzed a database of 2510 consecutive patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy followed by Billroth-I (B-I) or Roux-en-Y (R-Y) anastomosis from 2006 to 2012. After adjusting for 30 potential confounding factors using propensity score matching, we compared the body weight loss and other nutritional status for 5 years as primary outcomes between the two groups. We also investigated surgical outcomes, endoscopic findings, and long-term survival rates as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

After matching the inclusion criteria, 940 patients (470 in each group) were enrolled. There was no marked difference in the body weight loss and other nutritional indicators. The incidence of grade ≥3 postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) or the incidence of gallstone formation was not markedly different between the two groups. The postoperative hospital stay after surgery was significantly longer, and the readmission rate was significantly higher in the R-Y group than in the B-I group. An endoscopic examination revealed no trends regarding the incidence and severity of gastritis or residual food in the remnant stomach. The 5-year overall survival rate was 92.6% in the B-I group and 91.8% in the R-Y group, with no significant difference (P = .379, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

Roux-en-Y reconstruction may be nearly equal to Billroth-I with regard to the long-term nutritional perspectives.

Comparison of effects of six main gastrectomy procedures on patients’ quality of life assessed by Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45

BACKGROUND

The effects of various gastrectomy procedures on the patient’s quality of life (QOL) are not well understood. Thus, this nationwide multi-institutional cross-sectional study using the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45 (PGSAS-45), a well-established questionnaire designed to clarify the severity and characteristics of the postgastrectomy syndrome, was conducted.

AIM

To compare the effects of six main gastrectomy procedures on the postoperative QOL.

METHODS

Eligible questionnaires retrieved from 2368 patients who underwent either of six gastrectomy procedures [total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (TGRY; n = 393), proximal gastrectomy (PG; n = 193), distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (DGRY; n = 475), distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction (DGBI; n = 909), pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG; n = 313), and local resection of the stomach (LR; n = 85)] were analyzed. Among the 19 main outcome measures of PGSAS-45, the severity and characteristics of postgastrectomy syndrome were compared for the aforementioned six gastrectomy procedures using analysis of means.

RESULTS

TGRY and PG significantly impaired the QOL of postoperative patients. Postoperative QOL was excellent in LR (cardia and pylorus were preserved with minimal resection). In procedures removing the distal stomach, diarrhea subscale (SS) and dumping SS were less frequent in PPG than in DGBI and DGRY. However, there was no difference in the postoperative QOL between DGBI and DGRY. The most noticeable adverse effects caused by gastrectomy were meal-related distress SS, dissatisfaction at the meal, and weight loss, with significant differences among the surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative QOL greatly differed among six gastrectomy procedures. The severity and characteristics of postgastrectomy syndrome should be considered to select gastrectomy procedures, overcome surgical shortcomings, and enhance postoperative care.