Randomized trial comparing a side-port needle and standard needle for EUS-guided histology of pancreatic lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A side-port needle has been developed to improve diagnostic accuracy by obtaining more cellular material during EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA). We compared the accuracy rate of histology and the quality of histologic specimens from 22-gauge (G) side-port and standard needles for EUS-FNA of a solid pancreatic mass in a multicenter, prospective, randomized control trial.

METHODS

Between January 2013 and September 2013, 160 consecutive patients with a suspected solid pancreatic mass at 5 tertiary referral centers were enrolled. Patients were randomized to the 22G side-port needle or 22G standard needle group. The primary endpoint was the diagnostic accuracy of histology. Secondary endpoints were the quality of the histologic specimen (quantity of tissue, degree of GI contamination, and amount of blood).

RESULTS

An analysis of 154 patients (side-port, 76, vs standard, 78) was performed. Six patients were excluded because of no pancreatic mass on EUS. There was no significant difference in the rate of diagnostic accuracy of histology (side-port, 87% [66/76], vs standard, 82% [64/78]; P = .51). Samples that enabled histologic interpretation were obtained in 64% (47/73) and 43% (33/77) of patients from the side-port and standard groups, respectively (P = .009). No significant difference was seen in the degree of GI contamination and amount of blood between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate of histology between needle types. The side-port needle was superior to the standard needle in terms of obtaining samples that enabled histologic interpretation.

Asian consensus statements on endoscopic management of walled-off necrosis Part 1: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Walled-off necrosis (WON) is a relatively new term for encapsulated necrotic tissue after severe acute pancreatitis. Various terminologies such as pseudocyst, necroma, pancreatic abscess, and infected necrosis were previously used in the literature, resulting in confusion. The current and past terminologies must be reconciled to meaningfully interpret past data. Recently, endoscopic necrosectomy was introduced as a treatment option and is now preferred over surgical necrosectomy when the expertise is available. However, high-quality evidence is still lacking, and there is no standard management strategy for WON. The consensus meeting aimed to clarify the diagnostic criteria for WON and the role of endoscopic interventions in its management. In the Consensus Conference, 27 experts from eight Asian countries took an active role and examined key clinical aspects of WON diagnosis and endoscopic management. Statements were crafted based on literature review and expert opinion, employing the modified Delphi method. All statements were substantiated by the level of evidence and the strength of the recommendation. We created 27 consensus statements for WON diagnosis and management, including details of endoscopic procedures. When there was not enough solid evidence to support the statements, this was clearly acknowledged to facilitate future research. Proposed management strategies were formulated and are illustrated using flow charts. These recommendations, which are based on the best current scientific evidence and expert opinion, will be useful for guiding endoscopic management of WON. Part 1 of this statement focused on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and timing of intervention.

Pilot study of a novel, large-bore, fully covered self-expandable metallic stent for unresectable distal biliary malignancies

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In patients with unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction, covered self-expandable metallic stents (CSEMS) may remain patent longer than uncovered self-expandable metallic stents as a result of tumor ingrowth prevention. One main cause of recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) in CSEMS is sludge formation, which can be prevented using a large-bore stent. Therefore, we developed a novel, 12-mm diameter fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) and investigated its clinical safety, efficacy, and rate of adverse events.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter pilot study, which ran between June 2011 and November 2012, included 38 consecutive patients with unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction. All patients underwent endoscopic insertion of our novel stent. Primary endpoint was non-RBO rate 6 months after placement.

RESULTS

Technical and functional success rates of the procedures were 100%. Six-month non-RBO rate was 50%, and median time to RBO was 184 days. Median survival time was 241 days. Twelve patients died within 6 months after stent placement without RBO. RBO was observed in 10 patients (26%), with seven experiencing stent occlusion and three experiencing stent migration. Adverse events other than RBO (at <30 days) developed in six patients (16%; cholecystitis, one; pancreatitis, one; hyperamylasemia, one; pancreatic ductitis, one; abdominal pain, two). Stent removal for reintervention was successfully completed in eight patients.

CONCLUSION

Our novel FCSEMS may be safe and effective for managing malignant distal obstruction with an acceptable incidence of adverse events.

Asian consensus statements on endoscopic management of walled-off necrosis. Part 2: Endoscopic management

Walled-off necrosis (WON) is a new term for encapsulated necrotic tissue after severe acute pancreatitis. Various terminologies such as pseudocyst, necroma, pancreatic abscess, and infected necrosis were previously used in the literature, resulting in confusion. The current and past terminologies must be reconciled to meaningfully interpret past data. Recently, endoscopic necrosectomy was introduced as a treatment option and is now preferred over surgical necrosectomy when the expertise is available. However, high-quality evidence is still lacking, and there is no standard management strategy for WON. The consensus meeting aimed to clarify the diagnostic criteria for WON and the role of endoscopic interventions in its management. In the Consensus Conference, 27 experts from eight Asian countries took an active role and examined key clinical aspects of WON diagnosis and endoscopic management. Statements were crafted based on literature review and expert opinion, employing the modified Delphi method. All statements were substantiated by the level of evidence and the strength of the recommendation. We created 27 consensus statements for WON diagnosis and management, including details of endoscopic procedures. When there was not enough solid evidence to support the statements, this was clearly acknowledged to facilitate future research. Proposed management strategies were formulated and are illustrated using flow charts. These recommendations, which are based on the best current scientific evidence and expert opinion, will be useful for guiding endoscopic management of WON. Part 2 of this statement focused on the endoscopic management of WON.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration skill acquisition of gastrointestinal submucosal tumor by trainee endoscopists: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is an effective method for tissue diagnosis of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs) that are difficult to diagnose by standard endoscopic biopsy. However, the learning curve, especially for gastrointestinal SMT, has not been sufficiently established. The aim of our study was to assess the skill acquisition and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA for gastrointestinal SMT in trainee endoscopists in order to elucidate the optimal starting standards of EUS-FNA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 51 EUS-FNA procedures for gastrointestinal SMT between May 2010 and March 2014. The procedure was performed by two trainee endoscopists and two expert endoscopists. We investigated the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA and the factors associated with the accuracy between the trainee endoscopists and expert endoscopists.

RESULTS

The rate of adequate EUS-FNA materials for histological examination was 86.3%. Although infections occurred in two cases (3.9%), which were managed conservatively, no severe complications were identified. Comparing the trainee endoscopists with expert endoscopists, there was no significant difference in the rate of gaining adequate specimen (76.5% vs. 82.3%, P = 0.4626). However, the mean number of passes of the trainees tended to be more than that of the expert endoscopists (2.1 pass vs. 1.7 pass, P = 0.0511), and lesions located in the middle third of the stomach were the predictive factors for nondiagnostic tumors by the trainee endoscopists (P = 0.0075).

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA for gastrointestinal SMT by trainee endoscopists can be safely performed under the supervision of EUS-FNA expert endoscopists.

A pilot study of EUS-guided through-the-needle forceps biopsy (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA), small-caliber needles are preferable for optimal cytologic yield, whereas large ones are preferable when histologic specimens are needed. Because of the rigidity and friction induced by its large caliber, however, technical limitation does exist in a 19-gauge FNA needle. Recent development of miniature biopsy forceps enables EUS-guided through-the-needle forceps biopsy (EUS-TTNFB). The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of EUS-TTNFB.

METHODS

Eighteen sessions of EUS-TTNFB in 17 patients with solid lesions were performed by using a 0.75-mm biopsy forceps through a 19-gauge FNA needle. Technical feasibility, safety, and diagnostic yield of EUS-TTNFB were retrospectively studied.

RESULTS

A total of 49 passes, a median of 3 passes per session, were performed, and the needle puncture, advancement and removal of the biopsy forceps, and subsequent EUS-FNA were technically successful in all patients. No adverse events were observed other than one case with hyperamylasemia without pancreatitis. Macroscopic histologic core by EUS-TTNFB was obtained at a rate of 71% per pass. The tissue acquisition rate by EUS-TTNFB alone was 67% per pass and 100% per session. When EUS-TTNFB and subsequent EUS-FNA were combined, the tissue acquisition rate was 94% per pass. The accuracy of combined EUS-TTNFB and EUS-FNA to diagnose malignancy was 88% per pass and 94% per session. With a single pass of EUS-TTNFB and EUS-FNA, the tissue acquisition rate was 89%, and the accuracy to diagnose malignancy was 83%.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-TTNFB was safe and technically feasible and provided additional tissue acquisition with a single puncture of a 19-gauge FNA needle.

A potent therapeutics for gallbladder cancer by combinatorial inhibition of the MAPK and mTOR signaling networks

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common type of cancer with the worst prognosis among the bile duct cancers. There still remains a clear need for effective mechanism-based novel therapeutic approaches. A crosstalk between mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways has been reported in several cancers. We hypothesized that targeting both pathways in combination will be a potent therapeutic for GBC.

METHODS

Expression of phospho-ERK and phospho-S6rp protein were evaluated by immunostaining in surgically resected GBC specimens (n = 30). GBC cell lines and a xenograft model were treated with CI-1040, an inhibitor of MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) and RAD001, an inhibitor of mTOR, alone or in combination, and then, we examined the cell proliferation and tumor growth, cell cycle status, and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Analysis of human GBC tissues demonstrated that MAPK and mTOR signaling pathways were frequently coordinately dysregulated in one third of them. The combination therapy inhibited both signaling pathways and subsequently inhibited human GBC cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Compared to the single treatment, the combination therapy significantly induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis with decreased cyclin D1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The double blockade of MAPK and mTOR signaling pathways inhibits the signal crosstalk and shows anti-tumor activity, which can be a potent therapeutic for GBC, especially for the patients with hyperactivated signaling of both pathways.

Intravenous and intraperitoneal paclitaxel with S-1 for treatment of refractory pancreatic cancer with malignant ascites

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous and intraperitoneal paclitaxel (PTX) combined with S-1 for treatment of gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic cancer with malignant ascites. Methods After the feasibility of this regimen was first confirmed in an interim analysis in 10 patients, a total of 35 patients were enrolled between April 2011 and December 2014. PTX was administered intravenously (50 mg/m(2)) and intraperitoneally (20 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 8, and 80 mg/m(2) S-1 was administered on days 1-14 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), the objective tumor response, efficacy against malignant ascites, and safety. Result In all 35 patients, the median OS and PFS were 4.8 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.1-5.3) months and 2.8 (95 % CI, 0.9-4.1) months, respectively. The 26 patients who were evaluable for efficacy achieved a response rate of 8 % and a disease control rate of 69 %. Malignant ascites had disappeared or decreased in 18 (69 %) patients, including complete resolution in 4 (15 %), and a negative change in cytological status was achieved in 8 (31 %) patients. The major grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia (34 %), anemia (31 %), nausea (9 %), and catheter-related infections (6 %). Conclusion Combination chemotherapy consisting of intravenous and intraperitoneal PTX with S-1 showed acceptable toxicity and favorable efficacy in pancreatic cancer patients with malignant ascites. (

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000005306).

No Association Between CEL-HYB Hybrid Allele and Chronic Pancreatitis in Asian Populations

A hybrid allele between the carboxyl ester lipase gene (CEL) and its pseudogene, CELP (called CEL-HYB), generated by nonallelic homologous recombination between CEL intron 10 and CELP intron 10', was found to increase susceptibility to chronic pancreatitis in a case-control study of patients of European ancestry. We attempted to replicate this finding in 3 independent cohorts from China, Japan, and India, but failed to detect the CEL-HYB allele in any of these populations. The CEL-HYB allele might therefore be an ethnic-specific risk factor for chronic pancreatitis. An alternative hybrid allele (CEL-HYB2) was identified in all 3 Asian populations (1.7% combined carrier frequency), but was not associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Successful Endosonography-Guided Drainage of an Intra-Abdominal Abscess in a 1-Year-Old Infant

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided intervention has been established as a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure for various diseases in adults, but there have been limited reports in pediatric patients. Herein, we report our experience with successful EUS-guided drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess in a 1-year-old infant concomitant with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The abscess was punctured via the stomach using a standard, convex-type echoendoscope, and the patient’s condition improved after naso-cystic catheter placement. Although the clinical course was complicated by delayed hemorrhage from the puncture site, the bleeding was successfully managed by endoscopic hemostasis using a standard forward-viewing endoscope.

Multicenter study of endoscopic preoperative biliary drainage for malignant distal biliary obstruction

AIM: To determine the optimal method of endoscopic preoperative biliary drainage for malignant distal biliary obstruction.

METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent plastic stent (PS) or nasobiliary catheter (NBC) placement for resectable malignant distal biliary obstruction followed by surgery between January 2010 and March 2012. Procedure-related adverse events, stent/catheter dysfunction (occlusion or migration of PS/NBC, development of cholangitis, or other conditions that required repeat endoscopic biliary intervention), and jaundice resolution (bilirubin level < 3.0 mg/dL) were evaluated. Cumulative incidence of jaundice resolution and dysfunction of PS/NBC were estimated using competing risk analysis. Patient characteristics and preoperative biliary drainage were also evaluated for association with the time to jaundice resolution and PS/NBC dysfunction using competing risk regression analysis.

RESULTS: In total, 419 patients were included in the study (PS, 253 and NBC, 166). Primary cancers included pancreatic cancer in 194 patients (46%), bile duct cancer in 172 (41%), gallbladder cancer in three (1%), and ampullary cancer in 50 (12%). The median serum total bilirubin was 7.8 mg/dL and 324 patients (77%) had ≥ 3.0 mg/dL. During the median time to surgery of 29 d [interquartile range (IQR), 30-39 d]. PS/NBC dysfunction rate was 35% for PS and 18% for NBC [Subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) = 4.76; 95%CI: 2.44-10.0, P < 0.001]; the pig-tailed tip was a risk factor for PS dysfunction. Jaundice resolution was achieved in 85% of patients and did not depend on the drainage method (PS or NBC).

CONCLUSION: PS has insufficient patency for preoperative biliary drainage. Given the drawbacks of external drainage via NBC, an alternative method of internal drainage should be explored.

Current situation of endoscopic biliary cannulation and salvage techniques for difficult cases: Current strategies in Japan

In the pancreatobiliary session at Endoscopic Forum Japan (EFJ) 2015, current trends of routine biliary cannulation techniques and salvage techniques for difficult biliary cannulation cases were discussed. Endoscopists from nine Japanese high-volume centers along with two overseas centers participated in the questionnaires and discussion. It was concluded that, currently, in Western countries, the wire-guided cannulation (WGC) technique is favored during initial cannulation attempts. However, the conventional technique using an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography catheter with contrast medium injection is still used as first choice at most Japanese high-volume centers. The WGC technique is used as the second choice at some institutions only. After failed biliary cannulation attempts, the initial salvage option preferred in most centers includes pancreatic guidewire placement, followed by precut techniques as the second salvage choice. Among several precut techniques, the free-hand needle knife sphincterotomy with cutting upwards from the pancreatic duct is most popular. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided rendezvous technique is also carried out as a final salvage option at select institutions.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade treatment of bile duct stone in patients with surgically altered anatomy: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for management of bile duct stone (BDS) in patients with surgically altered anatomy is challenging even when applying enteroscopy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade treatments (EUS-AG) for BDS have been developed but have not been well studied yet. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of EUS-AG for BDS in patients with surgically altered anatomy as a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

A retrospective database analysis was performed to identify patients with surgically altered anatomy who underwent EUS-AG for the management of BDS at four academic care centers. Basic characteristics of the patients and details of the procedures were determined and the success rates and adverse event rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

EUS-AG for BDS was attempted in 29 patients. Successful BDS removal was achieved in 72% (21/29) of patients. Reasons for failed EUS-AG were unsuccessful bile duct puncture in six, unsuccessful guidewire manipulation in one, and unsuccessful stone removal using a retrieval balloon in one. Adverse events occurred in five (17%) but were successfully managed conservatively.

CONCLUSION

EUS-AG for BDS is a feasible and safe alternative in patients with surgically altered anatomy, although further evaluation and development of dedicated devices are needed.

Diagnostic and therapeutic single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy in biliopancreatic diseases: Prospective multicenter study in Japan

AIM: To assess the utility and safety of single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy (SOCPS) using the SpyGlass system in widespread clinical application for biliary and pancreatic diseases.

METHODS: This study was a prospective case series conducted in 20 referral centers in Japan. There were 148 patients who underwent SOCPS; 124 for biliary diseases and 24 for pancreatic diseases. The attempted interventions were SOCPS examination, SOCPS-directed tissue sampling, and therapy for stone removal, among others. The main outcomes were related to the procedure success rate in terms of visualizing the target lesions, SOCPS-directed adequate tissue sampling, and complete stone removal.

RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were enrolled for the diagnosis of indeterminate biliary and pancreatic lesions or treatment of biliary and pancreatic disease. The overall procedure success rate of visualizing the target lesions was 91.2% (135/148). The overall procedural success rates of visualizing the target lesions of diagnostic SOCPS in the bile duct and pancreatic duct were 95.5% (84/89) and 88.2% (15/17), respectively. Diagnosis: the overall adequate tissue for histologic examination was secured in 81.4% of the 86 patients who underwent biopsy under SOCPS (bile duct, 60/75, 80.0%; pancreatic duct, 10/11, 90.9%). The accuracy of histologic diagnosis using SOCPS-directed biopsies in indeterminate bile duct lesions was 70.7% (53/75). In the pancreatic duct, the accuracy of SOCPS visual impression of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm was 87.5% (14/16). Stone therapy: complete biliary and pancreatic stone clearance combined with SOCPS-directed stone therapy using electrohydraulic lithotripsy or laser lithotripsy was achieved in 74.2% (23/31) and 42.9% (3/7) of the patients, respectively. Others: SOCPS using the SpyGlass system was used in cannulation of the cystic duct in two patients and for passing across the obstructed self-expandable metallic stent for a malignant biliary stricture in two patients. All procedures were successful in both SOCPS-guided therapies. The incidence of procedure-related adverse events was 5.4% (8/148).

CONCLUSION: SOCPS with direct visualization and biopsy for diagnosis and SOCPS-directed therapy for biliary and pancreatic diseases can be safely performed with a high success rate.

Risk factor of thrombosis and impact on prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy

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Background: Thromboembolism (TE) is common in cancer patients, and pancreatic cancer is reported to be highly associated with TE. The aim of this analysis is to clarify risk factors for TE and its clinical impact in pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: Data on consecutive pancreatic cancer patients receiving systemic chemotherapy between August 1999 and July 2015 were retrospectively studied. The diagnosis of TE was made on CT scan either performed for suspicious symptoms of TE or for evaluation of chemotherapy response, and TE was classified into two groups: arterial events including coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease and other artery thrombosis, and venous events including deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE), portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and IVC thrombosis. Overall survival and time to TE (TTE) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Risk factors for TE development were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. To evaluate the impact of TE on survival, multivariate analyses were performed using a time-dependent covariate multiple Cox model. Results: A total of 475 patients (195 female, a median age of 67 years) were analyzed. TE was identified in 57 patients (12%). Venous TE were 45 (79%) including DVT/PE 24(42%), IVC thrombosis 2 (4%), PVT 19 (33%). Arterial TE were 12 (21%) including cerebrovascular infarction 9 (16%), CAD 2 (4%) respectively. The median TTE was 169 days (95% CI, 75-203). Liver metastasis was the only significant risk factor for TE in the multivariate analysis (OR 2.01, 95%CI 1.12-3.47, P = 0.012). The median survival from TE development was 57 days (95% CI, 37-65) and TE was significantly associated with poor prognosis (HR 3.31, 95%CI 2.72-5.27, P< 0.01) in the time-dependent covariate analysis. Conclusions: TE was not uncommon in pancreatic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and was associated with poor prognosis. Whether the prophylaxis for TE can improve survival should be further investigated, especially in high risk patients such as patients with liver metastasis.

Did multiagent chemotherapy improve clinical outcomes of advanced pancreatic cancer? A single center experience of 408 cases

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Background: We previously reported the introduction of S-1 improved overall survival (OS) in advanced pancreatic cancer (PC), but in a pooled analysis of 3 RCTs, a combination of gemcitabine and S-1 (GS) improved OS in locally advanced PC (LAPC), but not in metastatic PC (MPC), compared to gemcitabine (Gem) alone. More recently, FOLFIRINOX, a multiagent chemotherapy, is shown to improve OS in MPC. We conducted clinical trials of a combination of Gem, S-1 and leucovorin (GSL) to further enhance antitumor effects. Herein, we retrospectively studied whether these multiagent regimens, GSL & FOLFIRINOX, affected the prognosis of APC, especially MPC. Methods: A total of 408 pts with APC receiving chemotherapy were grouped by treatment era into 3 groups: Group 1 (Years 2001-5: 53 pts prior to S-1 introduction), Group 2(Years 2005-11: 240 pts post S-1 introduction) and Group 3 (2012-14: 115 pts post multiagent treatment introduction), and clinical outcomes were compared. Results: Patient characteristics and protocol are shown in Table 1. Treatment protocol was single in 233, dual 142, and multiagent in 33. Response rate & disease control rate in Groups 1/2/3 were 2/8/17% & 26/67/73%. In LAPC, PFS was 6.2/8.9/7.9 & OS was 13.4/17.2/19.7 months in Groups 1/2/3. Meanwhile, in MPC, PFS was 2.0/3.5/4.8 & OS was 6.7/8.6/9.6 months in Groups 1/2/3. When treatment protocols were compared, in LAPC, PFS & OS were 7.0/11.7/8.8 & 13.6/22.6/22.6 months in singe/dual/multiagent chemotherapy. In MPC, PFS & OS were 3.1/3.5/6.0 & 8.3/8.1/13.7 months in single/dual/multiagent chemotherapy. Conclusions: While the introduction of S-1 led to longer OS in LAPC, recent introduction of multiagent chemotherapy appeared to improve OS in MPC. Whether multiagent chemotherapy would lead to longer OS than dual chemotherapy in LAPC needs further investigation. Table 1. [Table: see text]

Abstract A40: Emergence of CD47- high expression cells confers enhanced tumorigenicity upon KDM6B suppression in pancreatic cancer

The role of genetic mutations in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is well established. However, it is still unclear if epigenetic aberrations contribute to PDAC progression.

We previously reported a novel role for the H3K27 demethylase KDM6B/JMJD3 in regulating PDAC progression (Carcinogenesis 2014;35(11):2404-14). KDM6B was downregulated in high grade PDACs and knockdown (KD) of KDM6B in PDAC cells increased the tumorigenicity and enhanced the aggressive phenotypes of these cells in vivo. Furthermore, CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha gene (CEBPA) was identified as a direct target of KDM6B, and reduced KDM6B- C/EBPα axis was resulted in increased aggressiveness in PDAC cells.

To dissect further the pathological effects caused by loss of KDM6B- C/EBPα function in PDAC cells, we tried to identify a surrogate molecular marker of the cells lacking of KDM6B- function. For the purpose, we used a cDNA microarray to compare the expression profiles of KDM6B- KD and control BxPC3 PDAC cells.

906 genes were upregulated and 639 downregulated in KDM6B- KD BxPC3 cells compared to the control cells. We focused on 58 genes encoding cell-surface molecules that were upregulated in KDM6B- KD BxPC3 cells and validated the expression of 9 surface marker candidates, including 3 that have already been reported to be expressed on PDAC tumor-initiating cells, namely, CD24, CD44, and CD133. Only CD47 was significantly upregulated in the KDM6B- KD BxPC3 cells as confirmed by both quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometric analysis. CD47 was also upregulated in other PDAC cell lines following KDM6B knockdown.

It has recently been reported that CD47 is upregulated in various malignancies and that an increase in CD47 expression is correlated with a poor prognosis. In line with the previous reports, CD47high cells formed about 4-fold more spheres than non-CD47high cells. The close relationship between CD47 expression and the sphere-forming ability was supported by the finding that CD47low cells formed even fewer spheres. To confirm these results in vivo, the sorted CD47high and non-CD47high cells were subcutaneously xenotransplanted into nude mice. All CD47high cells formed tumors more efficiently than the unfractionated KDM6B- KD cells, while the tumor-forming rate of non-CD47high cells was comparable to that of the Ctrl cells. In addition, when the cells were injected into the spleens of nude mice, CD47high cells demonstrated higher liver metastatic potential than the non-CD47high population.

These data suggested that the increased tumor-initiating potential of KDM6B- KD cells was attributable to this induced CD47high population. Consistently, the expression of KDM6B and C/EBPα inversely correlated with CD47 expression and tumor grade in human PDAC tumors. Collectively, our data provides a link between epigenetic change and PDAC progression, thus offering a novel strategy to target PDAC aggressiveness by intervening in the dynamics of epigenetic process.

Citation Format: Keisuke Yamamoto, Keisuke Tateishi, Yotaro Kudo, Koji Miyabayashi, Ryota Takahashi, Takuma Nakatsuka, Hiroaki Fujiwara, Yousuke Nakai, Yasuo Tanaka, Hideaki Ijichi, Hiroyuki Isayama, Kazuhiko Koike. Emergence of CD47- high expression cells confers enhanced tumorigenicity upon KDM6B suppression in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Sep 24-27, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A40.

A randomized phase II study of S-1 plus oral leucovorin versus S-1 monotherapy in patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer

This is the first phase II trial in which adding oral leucovorin (LV) to S-1 (SL) significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) when compared with S-1 monotherapy (S) in patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer (PC). The significantly better PFS and disease control rate with SL than with S suggest that the antitumor activity of S-1 is enhanced by LV in advanced PC.

Background

We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of adding oral leucovorin (LV) to S-1 when compared with S-1 monotherapy in patients with gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic cancer (PC).

Patients and methods

Gemcitabine-refractory PC patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive S-1 at 40, 50, or 60 mg according to body surface area plus LV 25 mg, both given orally twice daily for 1 week, repeated every 2 weeks (SL group), or S-1 monotherapy at the same dose as the SL group for 4 weeks, repeated every 6 weeks (S-1 group). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Among 142 patients enrolled, 140 were eligible for efficacy assessment (SL: n = 69 and S-1: n = 71). PFS was significantly longer in the SL group than in the S-1 group [median PFS, 3.8 versus 2.7 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37–0.85; P = 0.003]). The disease control rate was significantly higher in the SL group than in the S-1 group (91% versus 72%; P = 0.004). Overall survival (OS) was similar in both groups (median OS, 6.3 versus 6.1 months; HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.54–1.22; P = 0.463). After adjusting for patient background factors in a multivariate analysis, OS tended to be better in the SL group (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.47–1.07; P = 0.099). Both treatments were well tolerated, although gastrointestinal toxicities were slightly more severe in the SL group.

Conclusion

The addition of LV to S-1 significantly improved PFS in patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced PC, and a phase III trial has been initiated in a similar setting.

Clinical trials number

Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center: JapicCTI-111554.

Interstitial lung disease associated with gemcitabine: A Japanese retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a widely recognized adverse consequence of gemcitabine administration, but data on gemcitabine-associated ILD are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the incidence and risk factors for this adverse event.

METHODS

Patients who underwent gemcitabine-based chemotherapy between July 2010 and March 2013 were retrospectively identified using a Japanese nationwide administrative database. ILD was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision, codes: J70.2-70.4, J84.1 and J84.9. The cumulative incidence and risk factors for ILD were evaluated using a competing risk analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 25 924 patients who underwent gemcitabine-based chemotherapy were identified from 331 hospitals (primary cancer; pancreatic, urothelial, biliary tract, lung, ovarian and breast, in 9070, 5578, 4803, 4388, 1339 and746 patients, respectively). ILD was observed in 428 patients (1.7%), and the cumulative incidence was estimated at 1.1% (95% CI: 1.0-1.2%), 1.5% (95% CI: 1.4-1.7%) and 1.9% (95% CI: 1.7-2.1%) at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the multivariable regression model, age >80 years and lung cancer were the strongest predictors for ILD (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR), 2.61; 95% CI: 1.69-4.02 and SHR, 2.81; 95% CI: 2.16-3.65, respectively). Other significant risk factors included heavy smoking, prior chemotherapy and advanced cancer stage.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully demonstrated the clinical course of gemcitabine-associated ILD. Clinical oncologists should stratify individual patients for risk of ILD based on identified risk factors and fully consider the indication for gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.

Bleeding after endoscopic sphincterotomy or papillary balloon dilation among users of antithrombotic agents

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Severe bleeding is a potentially lethal complication after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) for choledocholithiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants on this complication.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent EST and EPBD were identified in a Japanese nationwide administrative database covering 1090 hospitals. Adjusting for other potential risk factors, we evaluated the association between oral administration of antiplatelet agents and/or anticoagulants (continuation, discontinuation, and non-use) and clinically significant bleeding within 3 days of the procedure.

RESULTS

In total, 61 002 patients were analyzed (EST, 54 493 patients; EPBD, 6509). The rate of severe bleeding was 0.8 % in both groups, but EPBD was performed more frequently than EST in patients with chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, and in those receiving antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. The impact of continuation/discontinuation of antiplatelet agents on severe bleeding was not statistically significant in the EST or EPBD groups. The use of anticoagulants was associated with a statistically significant increase in severe bleeding compared with non-use for EST (1.6 % 27 of 1688 patients vs. 0.8 % 429 of 52 805 patients; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.70; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.10 - 2.63) and for EPBD (3.0 % [8 of 263 patients] vs. 0.7 % 46 of 6246 patients; adjusted OR 2.91; 95 %CI 1.36 - 6.24).

CONCLUSIONS

EST and EPBD can be safely performed in patients receiving antiplatelet agents. Users of anticoagulants are at high risk of bleeding, and the periprocedural management of these should be further investigated.

Effect of a stylet on a histological specimen in EUS-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition by using 22-gauge needles: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) has become the most efficacious way to obtain specimens from a solid lesion adjacent to the GI tract. Previous reports regarding the use of a stylet during EUS-FNA were all based on cytological diagnosis and have showed no significant superiority in terms of diagnostic yield.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the noninferiority of EUS-FNA without a stylet (S-) compared with EUS-FNA with a stylet (S+) on histological assessment.

DESIGN

A prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled crossover study.

SETTING

Five tertiary referral centers in Japan.

PATIENTS

Patients referred for EUS-FNA of a solid lesion.

INTERVENTION

EUS-FNA S+ and S- in a total of 4 alternate passes with randomization to S+ first or S- first.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was the acquisition rate of an appropriate and sufficient specimen for histological assessment. The secondary endpoints were cellularity, contamination, bloodiness, diagnostic ability, and diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

We enrolled 107 patients (110 lesions) and analyzed 220 specimens each in the S+ and S- groups. The acquisition rate of appropriate and sufficient specimens in the S+ group was 121 of 220 (55.0%) and 122 of 220 (55.5%) in the S- group. The difference in the acquisition rate of the specimen (S- minus S+) based on the generalized estimating equation was 0.42% (95% confidence interval, -6.72% to 7.56%), which was less than 10% of the prespecified noninferiority margin of this study. With regard to cellularity, contamination, bloodiness score, diagnostic ability, and diagnostic accuracy, there were no significant differences between both groups. There were no dropouts in the study.

LIMITATIONS

A variety of target lesions, multiple pathologists, lack of an assessment of intraobserver and interobserver variability, and a single-blind study for the pathologists.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA S- is noninferior to EUS-FNA S+ on histological assessment. (

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000008695.).

Placement of multiple metal stents for malignant intrahepatic biliary obstruction via an endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy fistula

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) using a fully-covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is increasingly used as an alternative to failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. An EUS-CDS fistula can provide endoscopists with a new approach route for intrahepatic bile ducts. Here, we present successful placement of multiple SEMS for intrahepatic biliary obstruction via an EUS-CDS fistula.

A Japanese prospective multicenter study of self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction: short-term safety and efficacy within 7 days of stent procedure in 513 cases

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement has been used as an alternative to surgery for malignant colorectal obstruction; however, factors affecting its clinical outcome are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the short-term safety and efficacy of endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction and to identify factors associated with its clinical and technical failure.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical cohort study.

SETTING

Fourteen academic centers and 32 community hospitals.

PATIENTS

A total of 513 consecutive patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.

INTERVENTION

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent placement, sharing of stent placement methods among participating facilities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was clinical success, defined as symptom and radiological finding resolution within 24 hours. Secondary endpoints were technical success and adverse events. The follow-up period was 7 days.

RESULTS

The clinical and technical success rates were 95.5% and 97.9%, respectively. Major adverse events included perforation (2.1%), stent migration (1.0%), and stent occlusion (0.8%). The main causes of perforation were the procedure itself (0.8%) and comorbidities (obstructive colitis and impending perforation) not apparent before stent placement (0.6%). Extrinsic tumor origin was independently associated with the clinical failure after stent placement (odds ratio 4.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-14.79; P = .02). Stricture marking trended toward a negative association with technical failure (P = .09).

LIMITATIONS

Noncomparative study.

CONCLUSION

Strict inclusion criteria and stricture marking may improve the technical and clinical success of stent placement.

Recent advances in endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary interventions

Interventional endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) based on EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration has rapidly spread as a minimally invasive procedure. Especially in patients with failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, EUS-guided biliary intervention is reported to be useful as salvage therapy. EUS-guided biliary interventions are carried out using three techniques: EUS-guided bilioenteric anastomosis, EUS-guided rendezvous procedure, and EUS-guided antegrade treatment. Although interventional EUS is not yet a standardized procedure, there have been recent advances in this field that address various biliary diseases. Here, we summarize the indications, techniques, clinical results of previous studies, and future perspectives.

Prospective study of bezafibrate for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic disease. Medical treatments must be devised to avoid or postpone liver transplantation in PSC patients. No clinical trial has prospectively explored the efficacy of bezafibrate in PSC patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study of 12-week bezafibrate treatment, with pre- and post-treatment observation periods, in PSC patients. Bezafibrate was prescribed at 200 mg b.i.d. The primary endpoint was defined as improvements in liver function test (LFT) data after bezafibrate treatment. Changes in LFT data during the study period were assessed every 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were enrolled as planned, and 11 completed the study protocol. Biliary enzyme levels improved in all patients after bezafibrate treatment for 12 weeks. Hepatic enzyme levels improved in only seven of the 11 patients, and the efficacy of bezafibrate in PSC patients was thus 64%. LFT data (alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase levels) were reduced after bezafibrate treatment (both P < 0.05 by Wilcoxon's signed-rank test), and both significantly increased after bezafibrate cessation (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Bezafibrate effectively improved LFT data in 64% of PSC patients. This is the first prospective clinical trial to evaluate the effect of bezafibrate in PSC patients.

Abstract A55: A role of bone morphogenetic protein signaling in pancreatic cancer

TGF-beta signaling has a crucial role in pancreatic tumorigenesis, and almost all of pancreatic cancers carry at least one genetic alteration of TGF-beta related genes, such as SMAD4, TGFBR2, SMAD3, and BMPR2. However, the role of BMP signaling in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. Previous studies reported the depletion of BMP signaling resulted in the aggressive phenotype of cancer, and some reported BMP signaling played an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.

We have already established pancreas-specific Tgbr2 knockout mice in the context of Kras activation, which clinically and histopathologically recapitulate human PDAC. With regard to PDAC, Smad4 mutation or deletion is more commonly observed, however the Smad4 knockout mice with activating Kras mutation was reported to show cystic type tumor of pancreas. Therefore, our Kras+Tgfbr2KO might be the closest approximation of the human PDAC in terms of histology. We examined the effect of BMP signaling on the tumorigenesis and progression of PDAC using this mouse model.

We performed immunohistochemistry of murine PDAC to evaluate whether BMP signaling was related to the PDAC progression. We examined the effect of Bmp4 and Bmp7 on the proliferation, invasion and adhesion using murine PDAC and PanIN cells in vitro. We have already established the murine PDAC cell lines from Pancreas-specific Kras+Tgfbr2KO mice and murine PanIN cells from Pancreas-specific activating Kras mutation mice. Bmpr2 was knocked down in PanIN cell lines using shRNA, and we examined whether the effect of BMP signaling was canceled by Bmpr2 knockdown. In vivo, we evaluated the effect of BMP signaling on tumor growth and tumor-stromal interaction using the xenograft mouse model of Bmpr2-negative PanIN cells.

The immunohistochemistry of murine pancreas tissues demonstrated that Smad1/5/8 was more strongly phosphorylated in PDAC compared to PanIN lesion. We also observed that Smad1/5/8 was phosphorylated in stromal cells surrounding tumor areas, which was likely to suggest the importance of BMP signaling in PDAC progression and tumor-stromal interaction. In vitro, both Bmp4 and Bmp7 did not affect the proliferation and invasion of PDAC and PanIN cells, but they increased the adhesion of PDAC and PanIN cells, and knockdown of Bmpr2 canceled the effect of Bmps. In vivo, we evaluated the growth of subcutaneous tumor allograft and the tumors of Bmpr2-negative PanIN cells showed slower tumor growth than tumors of the control, differently from the results in vitro. These results suggested that BMP signaling was associated with the tumor-stromal interaction and played important role in tumor progression.

In this study we evaluated the role of BMP signaling in pancreatic cancer using pancreas-specific Kras+Tgfbr2KO mice, and demonstrated that BMP signaling played important role in the adhesion and progression of pancreatic cancer, which was due to the tumor-stromal interaction.

Citation Format: Koji Miyabayashi, Hideaki Ijichi, Ryota Takahashi, Keisuke Yamamoto, Yoshinari Asaoka, Keisuke Tateishi, Yousuke Nakai, Hiroyuki Isayama, Harold L. Moses, Kazuhiko Koike. A role of bone morphogenetic protein signaling in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Innovations in Research and Treatment; May 18-21, 2014; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A55.

Topic controversies in the endoscopic management of malignant hilar strictures using metal stent: side-by-side versus stent-in-stent techniques

Endoscopic management of unresectable hilar malignant biliary stricture (MBS) is currently challenging, and the best approach is still controversial. Liver volume is the key to adequate biliary drainage in hilar MBS and multiple stenting is mandatory to drain over 50% of liver volume in most cases. The self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) has shown superior patency to plastic stents in recent reports. There are two methods of multiple stenting for hilar MBS: stent-in-stent (SIS) and side-by-side (SBS). Advantages of SIS include multiple SEMS placement in one stent caliber at the common bile duct (CBD), which is considered physiologically ideal. The through-the-mesh (TTM) technique with guidewires and the SEMS delivery system can be technically difficult in SIS, although the recent development of dedicated SEMSs having a loose portion facilitating the TTM technique makes SIS technically feasible both at stent deployment and re-interventions. Conversely, the SBS technique, if placed across the papilla, is technically simple at initial placement and re-intervention at stent occlusion. However, SBS has potential disadvantages of overexpansion of the CBD because of parallel placement of multiple SEMS, which can lead to portal vein thrombosis. Given the limited evidence available, a well-designed randomized controlled trial comparing these two techniques is warranted.

Early use of double-guidewire technique to facilitate selective bile duct cannulation: the multicenter randomized controlled EDUCATION trial

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

There are no guidelines for the timing of conversion from a single-guidewire to a double-guidewire technique to facilitate selective bile duct cannulation and reduce post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP), when using wire-guided cannulation. We investigated whether early conversion to the double-guidewire method, at first unintentional insertion of a guidewire into the pancreatic duct, facilitated selective bile duct cannulation and reduced PEP compared with repeated single-guidewire attempts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial included 274 patients with a naive papilla, undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) using wire-guided cannulation in whom there was unintentional insertion of the guidewire into the pancreatic duct. With the guidewire still in the duct, patients were randomly assigned to undergo the double-guidewire technique or repeated single-wire cannulation. Main outcomes were success rates for selective bile duct cannulation and PEP frequency.

RESULTS

Success rates for selective bile duct cannulation within 10 attempts and 10 minutes were 75 % and 70 %, respectively, for the early double-guidewire (EDG) and repeated single-guidewire (RSG) cannulation groups (relative rate 1.07, 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI] 0.93 - 1.24, P = 0.42). Corresponding final selective bile duct cannulation rates were 98 % and 97 % (relative rate 1.01, 95 %CI 0.97 - 1.05, P = 1.00). PEP rates were 20 % and 17 %, respectively, for the EDG and RSG cannulation groups (relative risk 1.17, 95 %CI 0.71 - 1.94, P = 0.53). Double-guidewire cannulation was more effective in patients with malignant biliary stricture (relative rate 1.36, 95 %CI 1.05 - 1.77, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

During therapeutic ERC using wire-guided cannulation, converting to a double-guidewire technique neither facilitated selective bile duct cannulation nor decreased PEP incidence compared with repeated use of a single-wire technique.