Prognostic factors of conversion surgery for stage IV gastric cancer: A multi-institutional retrospective analysis

Background

Conversion surgery (CS) is a highly anticipated strategy for stage IV advanced gastric cancer (AGC) with a good response to chemotherapy. However, prognostic factors limiting R0 resection remain unclear. In this multi-institutional study, we investigated the clinical outcomes of CS for stage IV AGC and the prognostic factors of CS-limiting R0 resection and analyzed them according to metastatic patterns.

Methods

Clinical data on 210 patients who underwent CS for stage IV AGC at six institutions between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively retrieved. The patient background, preoperative treatment, operative outcomes, and survival times were recorded. Prognostic factors for overall and recurrence-free survival were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses for patients who underwent R0 resection.

Results

R0 resection was achieved in 146 (70%) patients. The median survival time was 32 months, and the 3-year survival rate was 45%. Patients who achieved R0 resection had significantly longer survival than those with R1/2 resection (median survival time: 41.5 months vs. 20.7 months). Multivariate analysis identified pathological N positivity for overall and relapse-free survival and pathological T4 for relapse-free survival as significant independent poor prognostic factors of R0 resected patients. There was no significant difference in survival among the peritoneum, liver, and lymph node groups regarding the initial metastatic sites.

Conclusions

CS with R0 resection for patients with stage IV AGC can lead to longer survival. Patients with pathological T4 and pathological N positivity were eligible for intensive adjuvant therapy after CS with R0 resection.

Prognostic factors and significance of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by gastrectomy

PURPOSE

In Japan, gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy are the standard treatments for locally advanced gastric cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is not affected by postgastrectomy syndromes or postoperative complications. This multicenter retrospective study investigated the prognostic factors and significance of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent NAC followed by gastrectomy.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (n = 221) with advanced gastric cancer who underwent NAC followed by curative surgery were enrolled in this study. Prognostic factors including postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A multivariate analysis revealed that pathological lymph node metastasis (ypN) status and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for the overall and relapse-free survival. Forty-five patients (20.4%) did not receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. There were no significant differences between patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy for all factors, except age. The most common reason for not undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was a poor condition (n = 23).

CONCLUSIONS

ypN status and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors in gastric cancer patients who underwent NAC followed by curative gastrectomy. It is important to maintain the patient's condition during NAC and the perioperative period so that they can receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Serum NY-ESO-1 antibody as a predictive biomarker for postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer: a multicenter prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

No reliable marker has been identified to predict postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer. We designed a clinical trial to investigate the utility of serum NY-ESO-1 antibody responses as a predictive marker for postoperative recurrence in gastric cancer.

METHODS

A multicenter prospective study was conducted between 2012 and 2021. Patients with resectable cT3-4 gastric cancer were included. Postoperative NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibody responses were serially evaluated every 3 months for 1 year in patients with positive preoperative antibody responses. The recurrence rate was assessed by the positivity of antibody responses at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Among 1001 patients, preoperative NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibody responses were positive in 12.6% and 18.1% of patients, respectively. NY-ESO-1 antibody responses became negative postoperatively in non-recurrent patients (negativity rates; 45% and 78% at 3 and 12 months, respectively), but remained positive in recurrent patients (negativity rates; 9% and 8%, respectively). p53 antibody responses remained positive in non-recurrent patients. In multivariate analysis, NY-ESO-1 antibody positivity at 3 months (P  < 0.03) and 12 months (P  < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for a shorter recurrence-free interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum NY-ESO-1 antibodies may be a useful predictive marker for postoperative recurrence in gastric cancer.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000007925.

[A Case of Adenocarcinoma of Pancreatic Head of Liver Disfunction after Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Celiac Artery Stenosis Treated by Urgent Median Arcuate Ligament Release]

This patient visited our hospital for the purpose of detailed examination of prostate cancer in his seventies. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)revealed a low-density mass of 2 cm in the pancreatic head. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed after 2 courses of gemcitabine and S-1 therapy were performed as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. An intraoperative clamp test of the gastroduodenal artery showed that the pulsation of the common hepatic artery and the proper hepatic artery was weak but sufficient, so the gastroduodenal artery was cut and the operation was completed as planned. A blood test on the 1st day after the operation showed elevated levels of AST 537 U/L, ALT 616 U/L, and 7 hours later blood sampling showed further increases in AST 1,455 U/L, ALT 1,314 U/L. After a detailed review of the preoperative CT, celiac artery stenosis due to compression of the arcuate ligament was suspected, and urgent median arcuate ligament release was performed on the same day. Dissection of the arcuate ligament significantly improved the pulsation of the common hepatic artery and proper hepatic artery. Postoperatively, hepatic enzymes improved and ISGPS showed Grade B pancreatic juice leakage, but the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 49th postoperative day without any other complications. He took S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy, and no signs of recurrence have been observed 9 months after the operation.

The impact of contour maps on estimating the risk of gastrointestinal stromal tumor recurrence: indications for adjuvant therapy: an analysis of the Kinki GIST registry

INTRODUCTION

Contour maps enable risk classification of GIST recurrence in individual patients within 10 postoperative years. Although contour maps have been referred to in Japanese guidelines, their usefulness and role in determining indications for adjuvant therapy is still unclear in Japanese patients. The aims of this study are to investigate the validity of contour maps in Japanese patients with GIST and explore the new strategy for adjuvant therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1426 Japanese GIST patients who were registered to the registry by the Kinki GIST Study Group between 2003 and 2012 were analyzed. Patients who had R0 surgery without perioperative therapy were included in this study. The accuracy of contour maps was validated.

RESULTS

Overall, 994 patients have concluded this study. Using contour maps, we validated the patients. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of patients within the GIST classification groups of 0-10%, 10-20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80%, 80-90%, and 90-100% were 98.1%, 96.6%, 92.3%, 48.0%, 37.3%, 41.0% and 42.4%, respectively. We confirmed that this classification by contour maps was well reflected recurrence prediction. Further, in the high-risk group stratified by the modified National Institutes of Health consensus criteria (m-NIHC), the 10-year RFS rate was remarkably changed at a cutoff of 40% (0-40% group vs. 40-100% group: 88.7% vs. 50.3%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Contour maps are effective in predicting individual recurrence rates. And it may be useful for the decision of individual strategy for high-risk patients combined with m-NIHC.

Effects of postoperative oral elemental nutritional supplement on skeletal muscle loss after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

We previously showed that daily nutritional intervention with an oral elemental diet (ED) at 300 kcal/day for 6-8 weeks postoperatively decreased the percentage of body weight loss (%BWL), and that the effect was maintained for 1 year. This post hoc analysis aimed to determine whether this intervention decreased skeletal muscle mass loss 1-year post-gastrectomy.

METHODS

Data from consecutive, untreated patients with histopathologically confirmed stage I-III gastric adenocarcinoma who planned to undergo total gastrectomy (TG) or distal gastrectomy (DG) and were enrolled in a previously published randomized trial were used. The primary endpoint was the percentage of skeletal muscle mass index (%SMI) loss from baseline at 1 year postoperatively, based on abdominal computed tomography images obtained preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

The overall median %SMI loss was lower in the ED versus control group, but the difference was not significant. The difference in %SMI loss in the ED and control groups was greater in patients with TG (10.1 vs. 13.0; P = 0.12) than in those with DG (5.5 vs. 6.8; P = 0.69). A correlation was observed between %BWL and %SMI loss in both groups (ED group, coefficient 0.591; control group, coefficient 0.644; P < 0.001 for both). Type of gastrectomy (coefficient 7.38; P = 0.001) and disease stage (coefficient - 6.43; P = 0.04) were independent predictors of postoperative skeletal muscle mass loss.

CONCLUSION

ED administration for 6-8 weeks following gastrectomy had no inhibitory effect on skeletal muscle loss at 1 year postoperatively.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000023455.

YAP knockdown repressed autophagy in fibroblasts to accelerate wound healing through regulating En1/mTOR axis

OBJECTIVE

Wound repair dysfunction is becoming a major public health issue worldwide. Yes-associated protein (YAP) has previously been reported to be closely related to wound healing, while how YAP accelerates wound healing via regulating autophagy needs to be further probed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ICR male mice were involved in two independent animal experiments; the mice were randomly allocated into control, autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) (injection), and 3-MA (drip) group or control, si-NC, si-YAP group (8 mice for each). Full-thickness excisional wounds (8 mm) in mice were created by punch to construct an in vivo wound model to observe the effects of autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) (by injection and drip) and si-YAP by electrotransfection.

RESULTS

Firstly, we found that the autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) accelerated wound closure in vivo. Loss-of-function experiments subsequently revealed that YAP knockdown led to increased proliferation and migration of fibroblasts as well as reduced autophagy, resulting in accelerated wound healing. In addition, our results revealed that YAP could positively regulate Engrailed-1 (En1) expression in fibroblasts. En1 knockdown also promoted the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, meanwhile resulting in increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) levels and reduced autophagy in fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

YAP knockdown repressed autophagy in fibroblasts to accelerate wound closure by regulating the En1/mTOR axis.

Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Application of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) to advanced gastric cancer is still controversial due to lack of sufficient surgical and oncological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the feasibility of LG for advanced gastric cancer by multicenter prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 98 patients with clinical stage II or III gastric cancer from 8 institutes were analyzed in this study. The primary endpoint was incidence of severe postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo classification grade Ⅲa or higher.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), 10 patients laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG), 21 patients laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG), and 1 patient received gastro-jejunostomy. Seven patients had positive lavage cytology (CY1) and R0 rate was 90.8%. Three patients (3.1%) required conversion to open surgery. The incidence of overall postoperative complications and severe postoperative complications were 17.3% and 9.2%, respectively, those were comparable to the data of open surgery for advanced gastric cancer previously published. By surgical procedure, the incidence of severe postoperative complications of LDG, LPG, and LTG were 4.6, 0, and 28.6% and the rate of severe anastomotic leakage of LDG, LPG, and LTG were 0, 0, and 9.5%, respectively. Total gastrectomy was an only independent risk factor of severe postoperative complications in LG for advanced gastric cancer (odds ratio 8.75; 95% confidence interval 1.70-56.69, P = .0092).

DISCUSSION

The incidence of severe postoperative complications after LG performed by qualified surgeons was acceptable even in cases of advanced gastric cancer; however, careful attention is required to adopt LTG. (UMIN000025733).

[A Case Report-A Successful Case of Distal Pancreatectomy with En Bloc Celiac Axis Resection for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer with an Aberrant Right Hepatic Artery]

In cases of pancreatic cancer with anatomical variations of the hepatic artery, it is important to evaluate the hemodynamics of each case for surgical indication. We report the case of a 68-year-old man with locally advanced pancreatic cancer and an aberrant right hepatic artery who underwent distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR). He was admitted to our institute due to abdominal discomfort. A CT scan showed pancreatic cancer invading the common hepatic artery. He underwent chemoradiotherapy with a diagnosis of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. After the tumor downstaging, we performed DP-CAR, which included a gastroduodenal artery and a proper hepatic artery resection. Even though delayed gastric emptying was observed after the operation, he was discharged on postoperative day 36.

[A Case of Retroperitoneal Leiomyosarcoma Resected Radically by Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Vascular Resection]

A 54-year-old woman visited to a doctor nearby medical clinic complaining of loss of appetite. She was diagnosed with right hydronephrosis on abdominal ultrasonography, and referred to our hospital for further examination. Contrast abdominal computed tomography(CT)revealed that a 6.2 cm tumor with a contrast-enhancing effect inside in the retroperitoneum near the lower pole of the right kidney. She was diagnosed with hydronephrosis due to infiltration of the right kidney of a retroperitoneal tumor. The tumor was suspected of invading the duodenum and inferior vena cava, but no obvious lymph node or distant metastasis was observed. Abdominal MRI revealed a tumor showed hyperintensity on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. We performed pancreaticoduodenectomy with inferior vena cava resection and right nephrectomy. The pathological diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma originating from retroperitoneum and pT2, pN0, pM0, pStage ⅢA. The postoperative course was good, and she was discharged 10 days after the operation. Thoracoabdominal CT showed a tumor 4 cm at the hepatic hilum three months after surgery, and EOB-MRI showed many tumors other than the same site, so multiple liver metastases were diagnosed as recurrence. Doxorubicin has been started and is still being treated.

[A Case of Liver Metastasis Complete Resection for Concurrent Overlapping Cancer of the Transverse Colon and Renal Cell Carcinomas that were Difficult to Differentiate from Hepatocellular Carcinoma]

A 79-year-old man visited the hospital because of constipation. Colonoscopy showed a transverse colon carcinoma. Dynamic CT showed a renal neoplastic lesion and 2 lesions in the liver with early staining and late wash out, and the liver lesions showed ring enhancement on EOB-MRI. The preoperative diagnosis was either transverse colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, or metastatic liver cancer. The patient underwent partial transverse colon resection, partial right nephrectomy, and partial hepatic resection. Additional to the 2 liver lesions in S6, an intraoperative ultrasound showed 1 tumor in S5; therefore, 3 partial hepatectomies were performed. Histopathological findings revealed that the tumors in S5 and S6 were liver metastases of transverse colon cancer and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. The final diagnosis was transverse colon cancer, pT4a, pN0, pM1, pStage Ⅳa and papillary renal cell carcinoma, pT1a, pN0, pM1, pStage Ⅳ. For 9 months postoperatively, there was no apparent recurrence.

Real-world effectiveness of third- or later-line treatment in Japanese patients with HER2-positive, unresectable, recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer: a retrospective observational study

Background

Real-world evidence on the preference for and effectiveness of third- or later-line (3L +) monotherapy for HER2-positive gastric cancer is limited in Japan. This study evaluated the utility of nivolumab, irinotecan, and trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) monotherapy as 3L + treatment in Japanese patients with HER2-positive gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer who were previously treated with trastuzumab.

Methods

In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study (20 centers), data of eligible patients were extracted from medical records (September 22, 2017–March 31, 2020), with follow-up until June 30, 2020. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS), time to treatment failure (TTF), objective response rate (ORR; complete response [CR] + partial response [PR]), and disease control rate (DCR).

Results

Of 127 enrolled patients, the overall analysis population comprised 117 patients (median [range] age, 71 [38–89] years). The most commonly prescribed 3L + monotherapy was nivolumab (n = 100), followed by irinotecan (n = 12) and FTD/TPI (n = 5). The median (95% confidence interval [CI]) OS, rwPFS, and TTF were 6.2 (4.5–8.0), 1.9 (1.5–2.3), and 1.8 (1.5–2.2) months, respectively, at median (range) 150 (25–1007) days of follow-up. The ORR (CR + PR) and DCR were 9.0% (1% + 8%) and 32.0%, respectively. Factors such as higher neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (≥ 2.54), Glasgow prognostic score (≥ 1), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS; ≥ 2), and hepatic metastasis significantly impacted OS.

Conclusions

The observed OS in this study for HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer was shorter than that reported previously, suggesting that the effectiveness of nivolumab, irinotecan, or FTD/TPI as 3L + therapy may be limited.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10147-022-02162-4.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: a Single-Centre Experience of 1469 Cases

BACKGROUND

Despite having once been extensively used for cosmetics or pain reduction, the use of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has declined in recent years due to technical difficulties and a reported increase in complications. Since the introduction of SILC in 2009, our hospital has been actively involved with this technique. Our experience suggests that SILC is not a difficult procedure and can be safe and useful, with particularly excellent cosmetic outcomes. This study retrospectively details the outcomes of SILC at our hospital.

METHOD

Data on 1469 cases of SILC performed on a waitlist basis at Osaka Police Hospital from May 2009 to December 2020 were collected and retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

The median operative time and blood loss were 96 min and 0 mL, respectively. A total of 46 patients (3.1%) required conversion surgery, including 36 needing additional ports and 10 requiring laparotomy. Intraoperative complications included common bile duct injury in 1 patient (0.07%) and right hepatic artery injury in 1 patient (0.07%), with no other organ injury. Postoperative Clavien-Dindo 3 or higher complications were observed in 18 patients (1.2%). Incisional hernias occurred in 15 patients (1.0%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that SILC can be performed safely without any increase in complications, as reported previously. Granted that it is performed safely, SILC may be a useful technique due to its superior cosmetic outcomes or pain reduction.

Laparoscopic mesh removal for mesh infection related to pararectal incision of previous appendectomy after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: A case report

A 67-year-old man with a history of appendectomy 40 years ago underwent single-incision laparoscopic surgery for total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair. Postoperatively, the pararectal incisional scar obtained from the appendectomy was infected; thus, antibiotic therapy and drainage were performed. However, the infection persisted. After 5 postoperative months, the mesh was laparoscopically removed at a sufficient distance from the infected site. No enterocutaneous fistula was observed. After 1 year and 10 months, no recurrence of hernia or infection was observed. Thus, laparoscopic mesh removal is feasible. Infection of a 40-year-old incision rarely results in mesh infection. Therefore, in pararectal incision, the extent of mesh coverage should be considered; if the overlap is large, changing the technique by not covering the incision may be necessary.

The Boy:Girl Ratio of Children Diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency-Induced Short Stature Is Associated with the Boy:Girl Ratio of Children Visiting Short Stature Clinics

BACKGROUND

About twice as many boys as girls undergo growth hormone (GH) therapy in GH deficiency (GHD). However, this sex difference may not correctly reflect a real incidence.

OBJECTIVES

We analyzed the evidence of a selection bias whereby more boys seek treatment at short stature clinics.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The present study included 3,902 children who visited 17 short stature clinics with a height SD score of -2 SD or less. The percentage of children who underwent the GH stimulation test was compared between boys and girls, as was the percentage of children ultimately diagnosed with GHD.

RESULTS

The children comprised 2,390 boys (61.3%) and 1,512 girls (38.7%), with a boy:girl ratio of 1.58:1. The percentage of children who underwent the GH stimulation test did not differ between boys (45.7%) and girls (49.8%). Among the children who underwent the GH stimulation test, the percentage diagnosed with GHD did not differ significantly between boys (22.0%) and girls (20.1%). The boy:girl ratio of children diagnosed with GHD was 1.59:1.

CONCLUSIONS

The boy:girl ratio of children with short stature (1.58:1) did not differ significantly from that of children diagnosed with GHD (1.59:1). These results indicate that the predominance of boys in GHD does not reflect a real incidence, but rather a selection bias whereby a higher proportion of boys with short stature seek treatment at clinics. This difference arises because parents are more concerned about boys' height, and because boys reach adult height at an older age.

Early growth hormone treatment accelerates delayed onset of puberty in patients with growth hormone deficiency

We investigated whether growth hormone (GH) treatment could accelerate the onset of puberty in patients with isolated GH deficiency (GHD). Of the 135 boys and 89 girls who started GH treatment before the onset of puberty and were followed up at Tanaka Growth Clinic, 83 boys and 51 girls who started GH treatment sufficiently earlier than the average age at onset of puberty of GHD patients (<10 years vs. 11.7 years for boys; <9.5 years vs. 11.4 years for girls) were analyzed. Age at onset of puberty significantly positively correlated to age at the start of GH treatment (boys: r = 0.427, p < 0.0001; girls: r = 0.302, p < 0.05). When the subjects were divided into two groups each: for boys, Groups A (n = 45) and B (n = 39), treatment was started at age <8 and 8 to <10 years, respectively; for girls, Groups A (n = 26) and B (n = 21), treatment was started at age <7 and 7 to <9.5 years, respectively, age at the onset of puberty was significantly lower in Groups A than in Groups B by the Mann-Whitney U test (boys: p < 0.01; girls: p < 0.05) and Kaplan-Meier log-rank test (boys: p < 0.01; girls: p < 0.05). These results indicate that GH treatment accelerates the delayed onset of puberty in patients with GHD. Heights at the onset of puberty in Groups A and B were not significantly different, suggesting that early treatment does not increase adult height.

Effectiveness of third- or later-line therapy in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer: Results from an observational retrospective study in Japan

277

Background: The real-world effectiveness of third- or later-line (3L+) therapies in patients (pts) with HER2-positive gastric cancer remains unknown. We report a multicenter, retrospective, observational study at 20 centers in Japan to investigate the outcomes of 3L+ therapy in pts with HER2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer previously receiving trastuzumab (UMIN000040853). Methods: Pts aged ≥20 years with HER2-positive advanced G/GEJ cancer who were previously treated with trastuzumab and newly initiated on nivolumab, irinotecan, or trifluridine/tipiracil monotherapy as 3L+ therapy (Sep 2017 to Mar 2020) were evaluated for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR), time to treatment failure (TTF), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). An exploratory analysis for factors affecting OS was conducted using a multivariate Cox regression model, with HER2 status as a covariate. Results: The overall analysis population was 117 pts (median: age, 71 years; number of prior treatment lines, 2; days since the initiation of first-line treatment, 431 days). Median (95% confidence interval) OS, PFS, and TTF were 6.2 months (4.5–8.0), 1.9 months (1.5–2.3), and 1.8 months (1.5–2.2), respectively, at a median follow-up of 150 days. Outcomes by treatment groups are shown in the Table. ORR and DCR in 100 pts with evaluable target lesions were 9.0% and 32.0%, respectively, and median DOR was 8.4 months. A higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (≥2.540), Glasgow prognostic score (≥1), ECOG PS (≥2), and hepatic metastasis significantly impacted OS. Conclusions: The real-world effectiveness of 3L+ therapies was limited in this study. New HER2 treatment agent is expected to improve outcomes in pts with HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer.[Table: see text]

[A Case of Carcinomatous Meningitis from Gastric Cancer with Improvement of QOL by Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt]

In cases where carcinomatous meningitis leads to hydrocephalus and increases intracranial pressure, patients present with exacerbated pain and several neurological symptoms. It is reported that multidisciplinary therapy, including radiation therapy, drug therapy, and surgery, is performed for patients with carcinomatous meningitis; however, it is rarely successful. Ventriculoperitoneal shunting(V-P shunt)is a surgical intervention that might relieve the pain temporarily and improve the quality of life. VPS should be taken into consideration in line with patients' and their families' intentions since the overall survival is fairly short.

[Effect of Endoscopic Resection on Prognosis in T1b Colorectal Cancer]

With the advancement of endoscopic resection(ER)of colorectal cancer, surgical resection after ER has been increasing. This study evaluated the effects of initial ER on short- and long-term outcomes in T1b colorectal cancer. This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with pathological T1b colorectal cancer who underwent colorectal surgical resection between 2008 and 2018. A total of 239 eligible patients were divided into 2 groups: patients initially treated using surgical resection with lymph node dissection(LND)(surgery alone, n=142)and patients treated using initial ER and additional surgical resection with LND(surgery after ER, n=97). No significant differences were observed in short-term outcomes(ie, operative time, blood loss, or postoperative complications)or the long-term outcomes(ie, recurrence rate, overall survival rate, or recurrence free survival rate)between groups.

Utility of monthly minodronate for osteoporosis after gastrectomy: Prospective multicenter randomized controlled trials

AIM

Osteoporosis in patients after gastrectomy is increasing with the aging of gastric cancer patients. Bisphosphonates are effective treatments for osteoporosis; however, their safety or efficacy in postgastrectomy patients has not been established. The purpose of this multicenter prospective intervention study was to investigate the impact of monthly minodronate on osteoporosis after gastrectomy.

METHODS

Of the 261 enrolled gastric cancer patients, 164 patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis based on criteria of the Japan Society of Osteoporosis. They were randomly assigned 1:1 to groups treated with active vitamin D (VD group) or monthly minodronate (MIN group). The primary endpoint was changes in lumbar bone mineral density (L-BMD) 12 mo after the start of administration. The secondary endpoints were changes in bone metabolism markers, adverse events (AEs), or treatment completion rates.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in patient background between the VD (n = 82) and MIN (n = 82) groups. In the MIN group, the increase in L-BMD was significantly higher than that in the VD group (4.52% vs 1.72%, P = .001), with a significant reduction in bone metabolism markers; blood NTX (-25.6% vs -1.6%, P < .01) and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (-34.3% vs -20.1%, P < .01). AEs were observed in 26.8% and 9.3% of the patients and treatment completion rates were 77.5% and 89.3% in the MIN and VD groups, respectively. Serious AEs were not observed in either group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of monthly minodronate, suggesting that this treatment may be useful for osteoporosis after gastrectomy (UMIN000015517).

Circulating MicroRNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Simple Summary

The screening methods and therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) have improved, but mortality in GIC patients remains high. Early detection and precise evaluation of GIC are required to further improve treatment outcomes in GIC patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which do not encode proteins, have attracted attention as biomarkers of various diseases. Since the first report revealing the strong correlation between miRNAs and cancer in 2002, numerous studies have illustrated the changes in the expression and the biological and oncological effects of miRNAs in GIC. Furthermore, miRNAs circulating in the blood are reported to be associated with GIC status. These miRNAs are thought to be useful as noninvasive biomarkers because of their stability in blood. Herein, we discuss the potential of miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers for each type of GIC on the basis of previous reports and describe perspectives for their future application.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) is a common disease and is considered to be the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide; thus, new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for GIC are urgently required. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional RNAs that are transcribed from the genome but do not encode proteins. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short ncRNAs that are reported to function as both oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Moreover, several miRNA-based drugs are currently proceeding to clinical trials for various diseases, including cancer. In recent years, the stability of circulating miRNAs in blood has been demonstrated. This is of interest because these miRNAs could be potential noninvasive biomarkers of cancer. In this review, we focus on circulating miRNAs associated with GIC and discuss their potential as novel biomarkers.

Risk Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis in Pathological T1b Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

The rate of lymph node metastasis (LNM) of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) with a submucosal (SM) invasion depth of 1000 µm or more can reach 12.5%, which is the most common reason for additional resection in daily practice. Other studies have reported that the rate of LNM is less than 2%, regardless of the depth of invasion, if the lesions show good histology, lymphovascular infiltration is negative, and tumor budding is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate new risk factors for LNM in T1b colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The 239 patients who were diagnosed with pathological T1b CRC after colorectal surgical resection at the Osaka Police Hospital in Japan between January 2008 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed in this study.

RESULTS

The LNM rate was 11.3% (27/239). The variables identified as being significant factors using multivariate analysis were: i) lymphatic invasion (Ly)-positive [odds ratio (OR)=5.97; 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.27-15.74], ii) female gender (OR=3.49; 95%CI=1.38-8.85), and iii) left-sided colorectal involvement (OR=4.98; 95%CI=1.22-20.39). If none of these risk factors were present with T1b, the LNM rate was 0% (0/28).

CONCLUSIONS

Ly-positive, female gender, and left-sided colorectal involvement could be risk factors for LNM in T1b CRC.

Multicenter prospective trial of total gastrectomy versus proximal gastrectomy for upper third cT1 gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The appropriate surgical procedure for patients with upper third early gastric cancer is controversial. We compared total gastrectomy (TG) with proximal gastrectomy (PG) in this patient population.

METHODS

A multicenter, non-randomized trial was conducted, with patients treated with PG or TG. We compared short- and long-term outcomes between these procedures.

RESULTS

Between 2009 and 2014, we enrolled 254 patients from 22 institutions; data from 252 were included in the analysis. These 252 patients were assigned to either the PG (n = 159) or TG (n = 93) group. Percentage of body weight loss (%BWL) at 1 year after surgery, i.e., the primary endpoint, in the PG group was significantly less than that of the TG group (- 12.8% versus - 16.9%; p = 0.0001). For short-term outcomes, operation time was significantly shorter for PG than TG (252 min versus 303 min; p < 0.0001), but there were no group-dependent differences in blood loss and postoperative complications. For long-term outcomes, incidence of reflux esophagitis in the PG group was significantly higher than that of the TG group (14.5% versus 5.4%; p = 0.02), while there were no differences in the incidence of anastomotic stenosis between the two (5.7% versus 5.4%; p = 0.92). Overall patient survival rates were similar between the two groups (3-year survival rates: 96% versus 92% in the PG and TG groups, respectively; p = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent PG were better able to control weight loss without worsening the prognosis, relative to those in the TG group. Optimization of a reconstruction method to reduce reflux in PG patients will be important.

Long-term outcomes of single-incision versus multiport laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer: results of a propensity score-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Long-term outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) for colon cancer (CC), as practiced in real-world settings, especially in relation to disease stage, have not been established. We examined, retrospectively, both short- and long-term outcomes of SILC versus those of multiport laparoscopic colectomy (MPLC) performed for CC in a propensity-score-matched cohort.

METHODS

The study involved 263 patient pairs matched 1:1 from among 691 patients who, between January 2008 and May 2014, underwent either SILC or MPLC for a primary solitary CC at our hospital. Short-term and long-term operative outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Operation time was the only surgical outcome that varied significantly between the two groups (p = 0.0004). Overall 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the SILC group was 93.7 (95% CI 89.6-96.2)%, and CSS per pathological stage (I, II and III) was 98.5 (90.0-99.8)%, 96.0 (88.2-98.7)%, and 88.3 (79.6-93.6)%, respectively, whereas overall 5-year CSS in the MPLC group was 93.3 (89.4-95.9)%, and CSS per pathological stage was 100%, 95.4 (88.3-98.3)%, and 84.1 (74.1-90.8)% (p = 0.5278, 0.2679, 0.7666, and 0.9073), respectively. Overall 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) in the SILC group was 94.0 (90.2-96.4)%, and 3-year DFS per pathological stage was 98.6 (90.4-99.8)%, 90.1 (81.4-95.0)%, and 79.0 (69.4-86.2)%, respectively, whereas overall 3-year DFS in the MPLC group was 93.2 (89.4-95.7)%, and 3-year DFS per pathological disease stage was 100%, 94.5 (87.4-97.7)% and 75.5 (64.7-83.8)% (p = 0.2829, 0.7401, 0.4335 and 0.8518), respectively. Thus, oncological outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. Incisional hernia occurred in 21 (8.0%) SILC group patients and 17 (6.5%) MPLC group patients, without a significant between-group difference (p = 0.6139).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that perioperative and oncological outcomes of SILC performed for CC are comparable to those of MPLC performed for CC.

Comparison of 5-year postoperative outcomes after Billroth I and Roux-en-Y reconstruction following distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: Results from a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial

AIM

We previously reported in a randomized controlled trial that Billroth I and Roux-en-Y reconstructions were generally equivalent regarding body weight change and nutritional status 1 year after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We describe the long-term follow-up data 5 years after distal gastrectomy.

METHODS

We analyzed consecutive gastric cancer patients who were randomly assigned to undergo Billroth I or Roux-en-Y reconstruction after distal gastrectomy. We evaluated body weight change, nutritional status, late complications, quality of life (QOL) using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core QOL Questionnaire, and dysfunction using the Dysfunction After Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery for Cancer, 5 years after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 228 patients (Billroth I = 105; Roux-en-Y = 123) were eligible for efficacy analyses in this study. Body weight loss 5 years after surgery did not differ significantly between the Billroth I and Roux-en-Y groups (10.0% ± 7.9% and 9.6% ± 8.4%, respectively; P = .70). There were no significant differences in other aspects of nutritional status between the two groups. Reflux esophagitis occurred in 19.0% of the patients in the Billroth I group vs 4.9% in the Roux-en-Y group (P = .002). Regarding QOL, Billroth I was significantly inferior to Roux-en-Y on the diarrhea scale (Billroth I: 28.6, Roux-en-Y: 16.0; P = .047). Regarding dysfunction, no score differed significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Billroth I and Roux-en-Y reconstructions were generally equivalent regarding body weight change, nutritional status, and QOL 5 years after distal gastrectomy, although Roux-en-Y more effectively prevented reflux esophagitis and diarrhea.

[Case Series of the TAS-102 plus Bevacizumab(Bev)Combination Therapy in Unresectable Advanced Colorectal Cancer]

A phase-Ⅱtrial of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab(Bev)combination therapy showed a progression-free survival(PFS)of 3.7-4.6 months. Here, we report 12 cases of unresectable advanced recurrent colorectal cancer treated with TAS-102 plus Bev therapy at our hospital between June 2017 and February 2020. The median PFS was 6 months(2-12). Adverse events greater than Grade 3 were neutropenia(33.3%), febrile neutropenia(8.3%), thrombocytopenia(8.3%), and vomiting (8.3%). The frequency of non-hematotoxicity was low. In conclusion, the TAS-102 plus Bev therapy may be a useful option for the late-line treatment of unresectable advanced recurrent colorectal cancer.

[Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma(NLPHL)Which Originate from the Mesentery-A Series of Two Cases]

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma(NLPHL)is a subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma. It is uncommon in Japan, and only a few cases of NLPHL originating from the mesentery have been reported. Most patients with NLPHL present in the early stage, but some patients have malignancy at initial presentation. We should perform staging laparotomy for the diagnosis and treatment of cases in which a lymph node biopsy is difficult.

[Launching Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Cancer in Our Hospital-Short-Term Results]

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery(RALS)for rectal cancer has been covered by National Health Insurance in Japan since April 2018. We launched RALS in our hospital in October 2019 and now report the short-term results(up to January 2020). Altogether, 15 consecutive patients(12 men, 3 women: median age 70 years)with rectal cancer underwent RALS during that period. For the first 2 cases, we performed RALS under the instruction of an experienced proctor from another institution. Among the 15 patients, 6 underwent high anterior resection and 9 low anterior resection. Median operating time was 358 min, median intraoperative blood loss was 0 mL, and there were no apparent intraoperative complications. Median postoperative length of hospital stay was 13 days, and only 1 patient developed a high-grade complication(Clavien-Dindo Grade Ⅲb)postoperatively. Hence, RALS for rectal cancer was launched successfully in our institution.

[A Case of Slow-Growing Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma after Resection of Gastric Cancer]

An 83-year-old woman was given a diagnosis of gastric cancer and received distal gastrectomy 9 years ago. Three years later, CT revealed a tumor measuring 13 mm in diameter in hepatic segment 7. She was followed for 5 years, and the size of the tumor did not change. Eight years later after gastrectomy, the tumor size slightly enlarged to 17 mm, and biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent liver resection of segment 7. The pathological diagnosis was well differentiated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC). No sign of recurrence has been found during a 1-year. This case, in which the patient was followed for 5 years before curative surgical treatment, is significant, because it demonstrates the slow-growing nature of ICC.

Abstract 3145: Clinical impact of new liquid biopsy using modified telomerase-specific adenovirus-based identification for viable-peritoneal tumor cells in peritoneal lavage fluid in resectable pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although surgical resection is the only curable option, less than 20% of the patients diagnosed with localized disease are resectable. The prognosis of these patients after complete resection is extremely poor due to local and systemic recurrence. Peritoneal recurrence is a major recurrence pattern after surgery for PC. Peritoneal lavage cytology (CY) is used widely in the diagnosis and staging of gastric and pancreatic cancer to rule out patients with occult peritoneal metastasis. For gastric cancer, positive cytology (CY+), even in the absence of visible peritoneal metastasis, represents stage IV disease. However, the prognostic significance of CY+ in potentially resectable PC is controversial. We rise the question of whether CY+ status in PC has predictive value for survival and early peritoneal recurrence. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate use of a new genetically modified telomerase-specific replication-selective adenovirus, expressing GFP (TelomeScan F35) in rapid detection of viable peritoneal tumor cell (v-PTC) dissemination of PC. This human clinical trial sought to determine if the presence of virally-detected, rare v-PTC predict peritoneal recurrence and patient outcome. This study was approved by the IRB in Osaka Police Hospital and Rinku General Medical Center. Patients with resectable cytologically or histologically proven ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were enrolled. Peritoneal lavage fluid was harvested just after a laparotomy in 53 patients with PC. Half of the fluid was examined by cytology with papanicolau staining and MOC-31 immunostaining and the remaining half was analyzed to detect v-PTC with TelomeScan F35. To distinguish between leucocyte and cells with epithelial origin, cells were stained with anti-CD45 Ab. To further distinguish cells with primary tumor origin, cells were labeled with anti-CEA, anti-CA19-9 and EpCAM Abs. GFP-positive and CD45-negative, and either CEA-, CA19-9 or EpCAM-positive cells were counted as v-PTC by automatic detection system using NIS Elements imaging software. Patients were followed after surgery to evaluate its clinical significance. Among 53 patients aged 53-87 years (30 males and 23 females), 6 were cytologically positive (CY+), other 12 were virally positive by TelomeScan F35 (v-PTC+). All 53 patients underwent a surgical resection (PD/DP/TP=32/14/7). 2 patients were double positive (CY+/v-PTC+), and peritoneal recurrence early occurred at 7 month after surgery despite adjuvant chemotherapy. 4 were CY+, but v-PTC-, and no peritoneal recurrence were observed (0%). On the other hand, other 10 were CY-, but v-PTC+, and 4 of these 10 patients occurred peritoneal recurrence (40%). Remaining 37 patients were double negative (CY-/v-PTC-), peritoneal recurrence were observed in only 4 patients. In conclusion, the TelomeScan F35-based v-PTC(+) status was associated with a significantly increased incidence of peritoneal recurrence in patients with resectable PC, resulting in impaired survival.

Citation Format: Masahiro Tanemura, Kenta Furukawa, Manabu Mikamori, Tadafumi Asaoka, Yasuo Urata, Kentaro Kishi. Clinical impact of new liquid biopsy using modified telomerase-specific adenovirus-based identification for viable-peritoneal tumor cells in peritoneal lavage fluid in resectable pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3145.

Role of single-incision laparoscopic surgery in the management of small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) arises on various backgrounds, and the surgical procedure is often modified intraoperatively as needed. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is less invasive than conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPS) and reported to be equally safe and efficient. We have been applying SILS to SBO requiring surgical treatment, and we conducted a retrospective study to clarify the role of SILS in the management of SBO.

METHODS

Thirty-four consecutive patients were identified for inclusion in the study through a review of hospital records of patients having undergone surgery for SBO between May 2013 and June 2018. Patients with tumor- or hernia-related SBO were excluded. We also identified, for comparison, a group of patients who had undergone open surgery for SBO during the preceeding 5-year period. The primary study endpoint was the SILS completion rate, and analyses were performed to identify risk factors for conversion to open surgery and perioperative complications.

RESULTS

The SILS completion rate was 70.6% (24/34 patients), with conversion open surgery required for the remaining 10 (29.4%) patients. Conversion was necessitated by limited working space in 5 (50%) patients, discovery of massive necrosis in 3 (30%), and non-detection of the responsible lesion in 2 (20%). Univariable analysis showed an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score (p = 0.020) and severe intra-abdominal adhesions (p = 0.007) to be risk factors for conversion. Conversion to open surgery (vs complete SILS) was significantly associated with increased operation time (p = 0.018), blood loss (p = 0.021), postoperative stay (p = 0.010), and postoperative complications (p = 0.004). Open surgery was significantly associated with increased postoperative stay (p = 0.026) and postoperative complications (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

SILS appears to be a reasonable surgical treatment option for selected patients with SBO.

Phase II study of intraperitoneal paclitaxel combined with S-1 plus cisplatin for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis: SP + IP PTX trial

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Background: Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy is a promising treatment option for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Although a phase III study failed to show a statistically significant superiority of IP paclitaxel (PTX) combined with S-1 and intravenous PTX over S-1/cisplatin (SP), the standard of care as a first-line treatment in Japan, the sensitivity analysis suggested clinical efficacy of the IP PTX. Thus, attempts to combine IP PTX with other systemic therapies with higher efficacy have been warranted. After a dose-finding study, we sought to explore efficacy of a new regimen that combined IP PTX with SP. Methods: Gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis confirmed by diagnostic imaging, laparoscopy or laparotomy were enrolled in the phase II multi-institutional prospective trial. In addition to the established SP regimen (S-1 administered orally at a dose of 80 mg/m2 bid for 21 days followed by a 14-day rest and cisplatin administered intravenously at a dose of 60 mg/m2 on day 8), IP PTX was administered on days 1, 8 and 22 at a dose of 20 mg/m2. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS) rate at one year after treatment initiation. Secondary endpoints are progression free survival (PFS), response rate and toxicity. Results: Fifty-three patients were enrolled and fully evaluated for OS and toxicity. The median number of courses was 7 (range 1-20). The 1-year OS rate was 74% (95% CI, 60-83%). The median survival time was 19.4 months (95% CI, 16.7 months-). The 1-year PFS rate was 57% (95% CI, 42-69%). The overall response rate was 20% (95% CI, 1-72%) in 5 patients with target lesions. Cancer cells ceased to be detected by peritoneal cytology in 23 (64%) of 36 patients. Fourteen (26%) patients underwent gastrectomy after response to chemotherapy. The incidences of grade 3/4 hematological and non-hematological toxicities were 43% and 47%, respectively. The frequent grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (23%), anemia (29%), diarrhea (13%) and anorexia (17%). Intraperitoneal catheter and implanted port-related complications were observed in 4 patients. There was 1 treatment-related death. Conclusions: IP PTX combined with SP is well tolerated and active in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis. Clinical trial information: UMIN000023000 .

Nintedanib in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases-subgroup analyses by interstitial lung disease diagnosis in the INBUILD trial: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial

BACKGROUND

The INBUILD trial investigated the efficacy and safety of nintedanib versus placebo in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We aimed to establish the effects of nintedanib in subgroups based on ILD diagnosis.

METHODS

The INBUILD trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial done at 153 sites in 15 countries. Participants had an investigator-diagnosed fibrosing ILD other than IPF, with chest imaging features of fibrosis of more than 10% extent on high resolution CT (HRCT), forced vital capacity (FVC) of 45% or more predicted, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) of at least 30% and less than 80% predicted. Participants fulfilled protocol-defined criteria for ILD progression in the 24 months before screening, despite management considered appropriate in clinical practice for the individual ILD. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 by means of a pseudo-random number generator to receive nintedanib 150 mg twice daily or placebo for at least 52 weeks. Participants, investigators, and other personnel involved in the trial and analysis were masked to treatment assignment until after database lock. In this subgroup analysis, we assessed the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks in patients who received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo in five prespecified subgroups based on the ILD diagnoses documented by the investigators: hypersensitivity pneumonitis, autoimmune ILDs, idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and other ILDs. The trial has been completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02999178.

FINDINGS

Participants were recruited between Feb 23, 2017, and April 27, 2018. Of 663 participants who received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo, 173 (26%) had chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 170 (26%) an autoimmune ILD, 125 (19%) idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, 114 (17%) unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and 81 (12%) other ILDs. The effect of nintedanib versus placebo on reducing the rate of FVC decline (mL/year) was consistent across the five subgroups by ILD diagnosis in the overall population (hypersensitivity pneumonitis 73·1 [95% CI -8·6 to 154·8]; autoimmune ILDs 104·0 [21·1 to 186·9]; idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia 141·6 [46·0 to 237·2]; unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia 68·3 [-31·4 to 168·1]; and other ILDs 197·1 [77·6 to 316·7]; p=0·41 for treatment by subgroup by time interaction). Adverse events reported in the subgroups were consistent with those reported in the overall population.

INTERPRETATION

The INBUILD trial was not designed or powered to provide evidence for a benefit of nintedanib in specific diagnostic subgroups. However, its results suggest that nintedanib reduces the rate of ILD progression, as measured by FVC decline, in patients who have a chronic fibrosing ILD and progressive phenotype, irrespective of the underlying ILD diagnosis.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim.

[Single-Incision Laparoscopic Colectomy for Descending Colon Cancer in a Patient with a Horseshoe Kidney]

A 67-year-old woman presented with bloody stools to a local physician. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 3 all-circumferential tumor at descending colon. She was diagnosed with descending colon cancer and referred to our hospital for surgery. Preoperative computed tomography(CT)revealed a horseshoe kidney. We performed single-incision laparoscopic colectomy for descending colon cancer(cT3cN0cM0, cStageⅡa)complicated by a horseshoe kidney. The surgery was performed safely without any additional injuries. In patients with horseshoe kidneys, abnormalities have been reported in the running of the blood vascular system and the renal pelvis and ureter systems. Thus, sufficient understanding of the anatomic abnormality by preoperative examinations, such as 3D-CT, is essential for performing surgery safely.

[A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Recurrent Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Stomach]

The standard treatment for unresectable or recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)is tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI). It is reported that resection of metastatic lesions after TKI administration prolongs progression free survival, but its influence on overall survival is not clarified. We experienced a case of GIST with peritoneal dissemination for which TKI administration and 2 local resections were effective. The patient was a man in his 70's. We started chemotherapy with imatinib for GIST with peritoneal dissemination. However, it was discontinued due to the occurrence of interstitial pneumonia. Dissemination was evaluated as radically resectable on the images. After the interstitial pneumonia was alleviated, surgery was performed. Although sunitinib was introduced at 2 months postoperatively, recurrent peritoneal dissemination was detected at 32 months postoperatively, and treatment was then changed to regorafenib. Regorafenib treatment reduced the tumor size; however, Grade 3 albuminuria was detected 16 months after treatment initiation and, thus, this treatment was discontinued. Subsequently, the tumor enlarged again. Because there was only 1 recurrent lesion, we performed radical resection. Postoperatively, a reduced dose of regorafenib was re-administered. At present, 9 months after the re-surgery, the patient is alive without recurrence.

[A Case of Primary Duodenal Adenocarcinoma in the Fourth Portion]

A 66-year-old woman admitted for nausea was found to have a type 2 tumor with stenosis at the fourth portion of the duodenum by upper gastrointestinal series and endoscopy, which was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma by endoscopic biopsy. Abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed an irregular thick wall at the fourth portion of the duodenum but without metastasis or invasion to the adjacent vessels. We examined the lymph nodes around the pancreatic head intraoperatively and partially resected the duodenum and jejunum based on the diagnosis of negative swollen nodes. The definitive diagnosis was primary tubular adenocarcinoma of the fourth portion of the duodenum, T3, N0, M0, Stage ⅡA. Reports of primary cancer of the fourth portion of the duodenum are very rare, and we include a discussion of the current literature.

[A Case of Mesenteric Hematoma Caused by Abdominal Metastasis of Small Cell Lung Carcinoma]

Chemoradiation was performed at Osaka Police Hospital's department of respiratory medicine on a 70-year-old male with small cell lung carcinoma(cT4N3M0, cStage ⅢC). Subsequent to secondary chemotherapy for multiple bone metastases that had been observed, he received care to control the disease. He arrived at the hospital complaining of epigastric pain. He got CT-scan and was referred to our department because of a suspected hematoma around the right gastroepiploic artery. He was treated conservatively because circulatory dynamics were steady and there was no indication that anemia had progressed. However, when a test laparotomy was performed the day after the start of treatment because he presented with decreased blood pressure and progressive anemia, a massive hematoma was found around the right gastroepiploic artery. The hematoma was removed, and hemostasis was performed. Based on the pathological findings of the excised specimen, he was diagnosed with abdominal metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma. This is a report on our experience and a literature review on a case of mesenteric hematoma caused by abdominal metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma.

[A Case of Retroperitoneal Dedifferentiation Type Liposarcoma in Which Total Pancreatectomy and Radiation Therapy Was Performed at the Remnant Pancreas after Pancreaticoduodenectomy]

A 75-year-old man presented with a fever. Computed tomography revealed a 10 cm solid tumor under the duodenum. A pre-operative diagnosis of liposarcoma was established using biopsy. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and the pathological examination led to the diagnosis of dedifferentiation type liposarcoma. Two years later, the liposarcoma recurred at the remnant pancreas. A total remnant pancreatectomy was performed. The pathological examination revealed dedifferentiated type liposarcoma and positive surgical margins. Therefore, radiotherapy of 59.4 Gy in 33 fractions was performed at the recurrence area. The patient has been recurrence-free from 1 year 6 months since the second operation.

Metachronous rectal metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma after 11 years of chemo-, immuno-, and radiotherapy for recurrent lesions: a case report

Background

Rectal metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma is rare, and it has been regarded as an end-stage phenomenon. Recently, however, advances in lung cancer treatment have improved the chance of long-term survival of patients with unresectable distant metastases. We describe the occurrence and management of metastatic spread of a pulmonary carcinoma to the rectum.

Case presentation

The patient was a 79-year-old woman who had undergone thoracoscopic left lobectomy for pulmonary adenocarcinoma and then, over the next 11 years, various drugs (carboplatin + paclitaxel (as adjuvant therapy), gefitinib, gemcitabine + vinorelbine, S1 (an oral 5-fluorouracil-based drug), carboplatin + pemetrexed + bevacizumab, erlotinib, nivolumab, afatinib, and carboplatin+ S1) were administered, especially for hilar and mediastinal lymph node recurrences. During the eleventh postoperative year, left and right iliac bone metastases were detected, and radiation therapy was undertaken for local control of these lesions. When ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed for evaluation of the disease, tracer accumulation in the upper rectum was seen. Colonoscopic examination of the rectum revealed an intramural mass with central ulceration, and the mass was diagnosed histologically as an adenocarcinoma. The bone metastases appeared to be controlled, and the patient’s performance status was good, but she had suffered constipation for about a year and desired treatment. Thus, laparoscopic low anterior resection was performed. Histopathologic analysis revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma existing mainly between the submucosa and serosa, and immunohistochemical analysis showed the tumor to be positive for cytokeratin (CK) 7, negative for CK20, positive for thyroid transcription factor-1, and negative for special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 and caudal type homeobox 2, confirming the diagnosis of rectal metastasis from the primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The patient recovered well without any change in her functional status. Systemic chemotherapy was resumed, and she continues to do well, now 6 months after surgery.

Conclusions

Surgery may be a good option for the management of an isolated rectal metastasis from pulmonary cancer in patients whose functional status is good.

Long-term effects of an oral elemental nutritional supplement on post-gastrectomy body weight loss in gastric cancer patients (KSES002)

Aim

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of short‐term nutritional intervention with an oral elemental diet (ED; Elental; EA Pharma Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) at 300 kcal/day for 6‐8 weeks in the early post‐gastrectomy period on postoperative long‐term body weight loss (BWL).

Methods

We analyzed consecutive patients who were randomly divided to receive the regular diet with or without ED. The control group received regular diet alone post‐gastrectomy, whereas the ED group received 300 kcal ED plus regular diet for 6‐8 weeks. Primary endpoint was percentage (%) BWL (body weight loss; body weight before surgery minus that at postoperative 1 year) by surgical type. Secondary endpoints included changes in nutrition‐related blood parameters.

Results

Of the patients in the original trial, 106 were eligible for efficacy analyses. %BWL at postoperative 1 year was significantly lower in the ED group than in the control group among patients who underwent total gastrectomy (TG) (n = 19 and n = 17, respectively; 9.66 ± 5.98% [95% confidence interval, CI: 6.77‐12.54] vs 15.11 ± 6.78% [95% CI: 11.63‐18.60], P = .015), but not in patients who underwent distal gastrectomy (n = 38 and n = 32, respectively; 5.81 ± 7.91% [95% CI: 3.21‐8.41] vs 5.96 ± 6.20% [95% CI: 3.72‐8.19], P = .933). In multivariate analysis, ED was the only factor affecting %BWL at postoperative 1 year among patients who underwent TG.

Conclusions

Daily nutritional intervention (300 kcal/day ED) for 6‐8 weeks reduced %BWL not only at postoperative 6‐8 weeks but also at 1 year in patients who underwent TG.

Daily nutritional intervention (300 kcal/day elemental diet) for 6‐8 weeks reduced %body weight loss not only at postoperative 6‐8 weeks but also at 1 year in patients who underwent total gastrectomy.

Abstract 401: Clinical impact of viable circulating tumor cells (v-CTC) detection and PD-L1 expression on v-CTC in the patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

[Introduction] The capture and analysis of CTCs as “liquid biopsy” provides the possibility to avoid invasive biopsies, obvious implications in cancer diagnosis and staging. We tested novel methods for viable CTCs (v-CTC) isolation in the patients (pts) with pancreatic cancer (PC), and investigated the clinical potential of v-CTCs in prognosis. We analyzed the PD-L1(L1) expression in both PC tumors and v-CTCs.

[Pts and Methods] 7.5 ml of venous blood was collected prospectively from 39 PC pts, either surgery first (S group) or pre-treatment, consisted of Gem:800mg/m2; and S-1:80mg/m2 given concurrently with IMRT to 60Gy (NACRT:N group). To detect v-CTCs, we employed a telomerase-specific replication-selective adenovirous expressing GFP. For S group, samples were obtained before/after resection. For N group, samples were obtained before/after NACRT and after resection. To distinguish between leucocyte and cells with either epithelial or mesenchymal origin, cells were stained by anti-CD45, anti-Cytokeratin and anti-Vimentin Abs. GFP-positive and CD45-negative cells were counted as v-CTC. To assess L1 expression in PC tissues (IHC) and v-CTCs, L1 IHC kit (22C3, for tissues) and anti-human L1 mAb(MIH1,for CTCs) were employed.

[Results]S group: 24 pts aged 53~85 years (male/female=12/12) were enrolled. 24 pts underwent curative resection. No v-CTCs were detected in 6 pts at both before and after resection, and 5 of 6 pts survived without recurrence. V-CTCs were identified in 18 of 24 pts, and 13 of 18 pts developed liver metastasis. Marked decrease of CTC counts were seen after resection in 10 of 18 pts, but 9 pts developed recurrence. N group: 15 PC pts aged 44~77 years (male/female=4/11) were enrolled. 15 pts underwent curative resection. No v-CTCs were detected in 5 pts, and 5 pts survived without recurrence. V-CTCs was identified in 10 of 15 pts, and only 3 out of 10 pts developed disease recurrence. Marked increase in CTC counts was observed after NACRT in 5 of 6 CTC-positive pts before NACRT, and 3 of 5 pts developed liver metastasis and died. NACRT may induce tumor cell dissemination into the blood circulation for CTC-positive pts. PD-L1 expression: L1 expression were assessed for 21 pts (S group:18, N group: 3). No patients with IHC-L1 high expression (≥50%) were observed (&lt;1% [negative]:9, 10%:6, 20%:4, 40%:2). For S group, IHC-L1 low +/CTC-L1 + were detected in 12/18 pts (66%). IHC-L1-/CTC-L1+ were detected in 3/18 pts (17%). IHC-L1 - /no detectable CTCs were detected in 3/18 pts (17%). For N group, IHC-L1 - were detected in 3 pts, but CTCs-L1 + were detected in 2 pts (1 pt had no CTCs). The majority of detectable v-CTCs were positive for L1-expression (89% [92/103 CTCs]), despite L1-negative or -low expression in PC tissues.

[Conclusions] Viable CTC detection appears as a promising prognostic marker. Immunotherapy with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Abs may effectively target v-CTCs.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Masahiro Tanemura, Kenta Furukawa, Manabu Mikamori, Takurou Saito, Masahisa Otsuka, Yozo Suzuki, Kentaro Kishi, Hironao Yasuoka, Masahiko Tsujimoto, Yasuo Urata, Hiroki Akamatsu. Clinical impact of viable circulating tumor cells (v-CTC) detection and PD-L1 expression on v-CTC in the patients with resectable pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 401.

[A Case of Myeloid Sarcoma That Primarily Developed in the Spleen]

We report a case of myeloid sarcoma(MS)that primarily developed in the spleen. The patient was a 60s man with a chief complainant of low-grade fever following a dental implant. Although he underwent intensive antibiotic treatment, including levofloxacin, meropenem, and vancomycin, no significant decline in fever was observed. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT revealed an LDA occupying the majority of his spleen, which was diagnosed as a splenic abscess. Although a CT-guided biopsy and drainage for the spleen were considered, a puncture of the spleen was not performed due to the substantial concern of bleeding. Subsequently, a splenectomy was performed and HE staining revealed mitosis of tumor cells and massive necrosis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor cells were positive for myeloperoxidase, CD43, CD45, and CD68. Finally, the splenic LDA was diagnosed as MS instead of a splenic abscess. He was treated with systemic chemotherapy. MS primarily develops in the spleen is quite rare: we found only 2 case reports of this disease. The prognosis of MS is poor due to the complications of AML. Accordingly, MS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for accurate diagnosis and treatment of splenic LDA.

Long-term effects of an oral elemental nutritional supplement on post-gastrectomy body weight loss in gastric cancer patients

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Background: Postoperative weight loss could have a negative effect on quality of life and prognosis of gastric cancer patients. We have already shown that daily nutritional intervention with an oral elemental diet (ED) attenuated the short-term postoperative percentage of body weight loss (% BWL) in post-gastrectomy patients, especially in underwent total gastrectomy (TG). This study was conducted to evaluate the postoperative long-term BWL of nutritional intervention. Methods: This study was conducted in a cohort of consecutive patients which were randomly allocated to receive the control or ED diet in the original trial. Control group received the regular diet alone after gastrectomy, while ED group received 300 kcal of ED plus their regular diet for 6–8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the % BWL from the presurgical bodyweight to that at 1 year after surgery by surgical type. Secondary endpoints were changes in nutrition-related blood parameters. Results: One hundred six of registered patients in the original trial were eligible for efficacy analyses. There was not significant difference in the % BWL between the two groups (9.13 ± 7.72 % vs. 7.09 ± 7.49 %, respectively; p = 0.171). The % BWL at one year after surgery was significantly lower in ED group than in control group among patients who underwent TG (n = 19 and 17, respectively; 9.66 ± 5.98% vs. 15.11 ± 6.78%, respectively; p = 0.015), but not in patients who underwent distal gastrectomy (DG) (n = 38 and 32, respectively; 5.81 ± 7.91% vs. 5.96 ± 6.20%, respectively; p = 0.933). A multivariate analysis revealed that only type of gastrectomy was independently associated with % BWL at 1 year after surgery. And in total gastrectomy, ED administration was independently associated with % BWL. Total lymphocyte count in ED group increased more than that in control group at 1 year after surgery. Conclusions: Nutritional intervention with ED at 300 kcal per day for 6–8 weeks reduced body weight loss at 1 year as well as 6-8 weeks after surgery in patients who underwent total gastrectomy. Clinical trial information: 000023455.

[A Case of Cecal Cancer in a Patient with Situs Inversus Treated with Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgery]

A 67-year-old woman who had been treated for cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed with cecal cancer by detailed examination. Although an anatomical abnormality was present, we determined that a curative operation with single-port laparoscopic surgery(SILS)was feasible. We safely performed ileocecal resection with D3 lymph node dissection(operative time of 91 min with almost no intraoperative blood loss), and the patient developed no operation-related complications during the postoperative course. Although cecal cancer with situs inversus is very rare, SILS is thought to be safe and feasible when performed by surgeons, who are familiar with the SILS technique and the spatial-cognitive features of situs inversus.

[A Comparative Study on Feasibility of SOX Therapy and SP Therapy with Short Hydration for Gastric Cancer in the Outpatient Setting]

We conducted a retrospective comparative study on feasibility of S-1/oxaliplatin(SOX)therapy and S-1/cisplatin therapy with short hydration(SP-SH)for gastric cancer in the outpatient setting. The subjects were patients with gastric cancer aged younger than 75 years who underwent SOX or SP-SH therapy at our hospital. There were 22 patients in the SOX group and 30 patients in the SP-SH group. Both the groups received the first course during hospitalization and then received the subsequent courses in the outpatient section. Evaluation items for each therapy included the treatment rate in the outpatient setting, number of re-hospitalization cases, relative dose intensity(RDI), and adverse events. The treatment rate in the outpatient setting was 100%(22/22)in the SOX group and 96%in the SP-SH group(26/27). Re-hospitalization cases included 1 case of loss of appetite in the SOX group and 1 cases of loss of appetite and 2 cases of febrile neutropenia(FN)in the SP-SH group. The median values of the RDI were 86% with S-1 and 85% with oxaliplatin in the SOX group and 92% with S-1 and 80% with cisplatin in the SP-SH group. The SP-SH group had a higher proportion of neutropenia cases of Grade 3 or higher(SP-SH 33% v. s SOX 5%, p=0.012). The SOX group showed a higher proportion of loss of appetite cases for all the Grades(SOX 86% v. s SP-SH 50%, p=0.007)and peripheral neuropathy cases(SOX 64% v. s SP-SH 23%, p=0.003). It was considered that SOX and SP-SH therapies can be treated in the outpatient section, although the occurrence of loss of appetite and FN must be considered.

[Nephrotoxicity of a Short Hydration Method for the Cisplatin Regimen in Patients with Gastric Cancer]

BACKGROUND

S-1 plus cisplatin(CDDP)has been a key regimen for advanced gastric cancer treatment. However, CDDP confers dose-limiting nephrotoxicity, requires a hospital stay for conventional massive hydration, and reduces patients' quality of life. We evaluated the nephrotoxicity of CDDP combination chemotherapy in an outpatient setting with short hydration for gastric cancer and investigated the feasibility of the short hydration method.

METHODS

Twenty-nine gastric cancer patients aged under 75 years with creatinine clearance rate >40mL/min and who received S-1 plus CDDP(60mg/m2)were recruited. Intravenous hydration was administered at 1,900 mL with magnesium and a diuretic. Any renal dysfunction over 5 courses of chemotherapy was analyzed.

RESULTS

The majority(24/29)of patients could receive outpatient chemotherapy. The highest serum creatinine Grade in each course was Grade 1, and none of the patients developed creatinine toxicity of Grade 2 or higher over 5 courses of chemotherapy. An elevation in eGFR grade was found in 51.7%(15/29)patients; in 13 of those patients, the escalation was of at least 1 Grade.

CONCLUSION

The short hydration method is feasible for gastric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy including CDDP in an outpatient setting.