The Utility of Preoperative Tumor Markers in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Primary Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma: an Analysis from the US HIPEC Collaborative

Expression rate and comparison of immunohistochemistry biomarkers in appendiceal neuroendocrine and other epithelial cell neoplasms: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) provides comprehensive information for morphology and pathologic characteristics and is a valuable tool for establishing the correct cancer diagnosis in clinical diagnostic pathology and determining prognosis. Objectives: The current study analyzes and compares the expression of Immunohistochemistry biomarkers on neuroendocrine and epithelial cell types of appendiceal neoplasms. Design: This systematic review adhered to the recommendations in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. We performed a meta-analysis employing a random effects model with proportions to gauge the proportion of positive cases. Method: A comprehensive systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted based on the PRISMA statement up to August 2023. Studies reporting the immunohistochemistry biomarkers expression performed in patients with primary appendiceal neuroendocrine and epithelial cell neoplasms according to the most recent World Health Organization classification of malignant tumors were included. Results: Our systematic search included 56 observational articles that meet the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis revealed an expression rate of 93%, 91%, 87%, 71%, 94%, 99%, 32%, 76%, 25%, and 91% for non-specific enolase (NSE), chromaffin A, synaptophysin, Serotonin, SATB2, Caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2), β-catenin, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Cytokeratin 7, and Cytokeratin 20, respectively. CDX2 and SATB2 were the most expressed markers. The expression rate had a significant association with tumor type. NSE and synaptophysin were the highest in neuroendocrine tumors, whereas CEA was more elevated in gablet cell carcinoids. Cytokeratin 20 is suitable for identifying epithelial cell neoplasms. Conclusion: The study indicates the proportion of positive cases in patients with primary neuroendocrine and epithelial cell appendiceal neoplasms.

Predictors of Recurrence in Nonmetastatic Appendiceal Epithelial Cancers: An Updated Single-Center Experience Over 25 Years

BACKGROUND

Appendiceal epithelial tumors are rare and encompass a broad set of adenocarcinoma histologies, including mucinous (mAC), colonic-type (cAC), and goblet cell (GCA) adenocarcinomas. It has previously been reported that nodal disease predicted recurrence in patients with nonmetastatic appendiceal adenocarcinomas, supporting diagnostic laparoscopy with right hemicolectomy for staging and assessment for risk of recurrence. In this update, we sought to identify predictors of nodal disease on initial diagnostic pathology in nonmetastatic adenocarcinomas.

METHODS

Patients with nonmetastatic appendiceal adenocarcinoma at a single institution from 1994 to 2020 were included. Clinicopathologic characteristics that predict recurrence and lymph node metastasis were analyzed. Workup included staging laparoscopy with right hemicolectomy, seriel imaging and biochemical monitoring.

RESULTS

A total of 147 patients with mAC (18%), cAC (22%), and GCAs (59%) were included. After median follow-up of 53 months, 23 (16%) patients recurred, most commonly in the peritoneal cavity (17/23, 74%). Recurrence rates were higher among node-positive patients (59% vs. 5%, P < 0.001). Nodal disease was more common in mAC (27%) and cAC (37%) than in GCA (11%); however, adenocarcinoma grade was not associated with nodal involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Nodal metastasis was more common in mAC and cAC compared with GCA and was the only significant predictor of recurrence in appendix cancer.

Diagnostic value of serum GDF-15 in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare malignancy that lacks a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for its diagnosis. Identifying reliable serum markers is crucial for improving the diagnostic accuracy and management of PMP. This study aims to explore the diagnostic value of serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in patients with PMP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We carried on a 1:1 matched case-control study. 44 patients with PMP hospitalized in Aerospace Center Hospital were recruited as cases, and 44 sex- and age-matched apparently healthy participants were selected as controls. The serum GDF-15 concentrations were tested using an ELISA method. The diagnostic value of GDF-15 in PMP patients was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

The median serum GDF-15 level in PMP patients was 1192.77 (843.03-1879.06) pg/mL, notably higher than that in healthy controls [533.27 (410.46-641.47) pg/mL] (P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of serum GDF-15 for PMP diagnosis was 0.907, the optimal diagnostic threshold value was 644.58 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 93.18 %, and the specificity was 77.27 %. The AUC of GDF-15 combined with carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) was larger than that of GDF-15 alone (P=0.027), and the sensitivity and specificity achieved 86.36 % and 95.45 %. GDF-15 levels showed a significant correlation with age (P=0.042), with younger PMP patients exhibiting notably lower concentrations of GDF-15 compared to older patients.

CONCLUSION

Serum GDF-15 could become a new marker for the PMP diagnosis. The combination of GDF-15 and CA125 demonstrated superior diagnostic performance for PMP compared to GDF-15 alone, achieving a sensitivity of 86.36% and a specificity of 95.45%.

Preoperative CA 19-9 Predicts Disease Progression in Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Treated with Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: An Analysis from the US HIPEC Collaborative

INTRODUCTION

Patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) are increasingly treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). Unfortunately, data identifying preoperative risk factors for poor oncologic outcomes after this procedure are limited. We aimed to determine the prognostic value of preoperative CEA, CA 125, and CA 19-9 on disease progression after CRS/HIPEC.

METHODS

Patients with CRPM treated with curative intent CRS/HIPEC from 12 participating sites in the United States from 2000 to 2017 were identified. Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as disease progression or recurrence, was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

In 279 patients who met inclusion criteria, the rate of disease progression was 63.8%, with a median PFS of 11 months (interquartile range [IQR] 5-20). Elevated CA 19-9 was associated with dismal PFS at 2 years (8.9% elevated vs. 30% not elevated, p < 0.01). In 113 patients who underwent upfront CRS/HIPEC, CA 19-9 emerged as the sole tumor marker independently predictive of worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.88, p = 0.048). In the subgroup of patients who had received neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), no variable was independently predictive of PFS. CA 19-9 levels over 37 U/ml were highly specific for accelerated disease progression after CRS/HIPEC. Lastly, there was no association between PFS and elevated CEA or CA 125.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated CA 19-9 is associated with decreased PFS in patients with CRPM. While traditionally CEA is the main tumor marker assessed in colon cancer, we found that CA 19-9 may better inform preoperative risk stratification for poor oncologic outcomes in patients with CRPM. However, prospective studies are required to confirm this association.

Is Older Age an Independent Prognostic Factor of Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer?

INTRODUCTION

Older patients (≤75 years) with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) may have worse survival than non-older patients. We hypothesized that, rather than age alone, concurrent factors may be more relevant for real-world survival.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with CRC in a 5-year period (2014-2018) were analyzed to determine which factors influenced in overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS. Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted by Cox regression analysis. The study was approved by Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

Out of 477 patients diagnosed with CRC, 231 had advanced disease. Ninety-two patients (40%) were older than 75 years; median OS (mOS) was 17.1 m (95% CI: 14.3-23.3), p < 0.001. In non-older patients, mOS was 26.7 m (95% CI: 21.9-32.6), p < 0.001. We evaluated eighteen concurrent factors that included characteristics related to the patient (age, sex, comorbidities, polypharmacy, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), and nutritional status), to the tumor (stage at diagnosis, tumor side, molecular profile, tumor burden, location, and number of metastasis), and to the treatment administered (systemic treatment for advanced disease, chemotherapy schedule and number of lines, severe adverse events and dose reductions, and surgery of liver metastasis). In the univariate analysis, age at diagnosis, ECOG, nutritional status, tumor side, molecular profile, tumor burden, systemic treatment for advanced disease, and surgery of liver metastases had significant impact on survival. However, multivariate analysis revealed that only four factors (tumor burden, nutritional status, systemic treatment for advanced disease, and surgery of liver metastases) were independently associated with OS but not older age at diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Older age is not an independent survival prognostic factor for advanced CRC. Tumor burden, nutritional status, systemic treatment for advanced disease, and surgery of liver metastasis were significant factors associated with OS. These findings suggest that older patients should not be excluded from cancer treatment based on age alone.

Impact of neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy followed by cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for appendiceal adenocarcinoma

AIM

Peritoneal dissemination of infiltrative appendiceal tumors is a rare and poorly understood phenomenon. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a well-recognized treatment option for selected patients. Neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NAC) has been shown to be associated with improved overall survival (OS) in colorectal peritoneal metastases but little is known of the impact of this from an appendiceal adenocarcinoma perspective.

METHOD

A prospective database of 294 patients with advanced appendiceal primary tumors undergoing CRS ± HIPEC between June 2009 and December 2020 was reviewed. Baseline characteristics and long-term outcomes were compared between patients with adenocarcinoma who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or upfront surgery.

RESULTS

Eighty-six (29%) patients were histologically diagnosed with an appendiceal cancer. These included intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (11.6%), mucinous adenocarcinoma (43%), and goblet cell adenocarcinoma (GCA) or signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (SRCA) (45.4%). Twenty-five (29%) of these underwent NAC, of which eight (32%) exhibited some degree of radiological response. There was no statistical difference in OS at 3 years between the NAC and upfront surgery groups (47.3% vs. 75.8%, p = 0.372). Appendiceal histology subtypes, particularly GCA and SRCA (p = 0.039) and peritoneal carcinomatosis index >10 (p = 0.009), were factors independently associated with worse OS.

CONCLUSION

Administration of NAC did not appear to prolong OS in the operative management of disseminated appendiceal adenocarcinomas. GCA and SRCA subtypes display a more aggressive biological phenotype.

Prognostic Impact of Pathology, Cytoreduction, and Tumor Markers in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

INTRODUCTION

The pathologic classification of pseudomyxoma peritonei is controversial. This study aimed to standardize the histopathological evaluation of pseudomyxoma peritonei and identify the clinicopathological factors associated with survival.

METHODS

A pathologic review was performed to systematize the pathology report and verify the relationship between clinical features and survival. Terminology was based on the World Health Organization and Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International definitions. Preoperative serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9, and CA-125 were evaluated to determine their association with overall survival (OS) and ability to predict CC0-1 cytoreduction.

RESULTS

Among 109 patients with carcinomas resulting from primary appendiceal neoplasms, 72 had pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin and underwent debulking surgery. CC0-1 cytoreduction and CC2-3 cytoreduction were achieved in 61% and 39% of patients, respectively. Patients in the CC0-1 and CC2-3 groups had an OS of 122.80 and 32.92 mo, respectively. The histologic grade was associated with CC0-1 cytoreduction; however, it did not influence OS. Patients with CC0-1 cytoreduction, acellular mucin, and low-grade lesions had better disease-free survival. Higher preoperative CA19-9 levels were associated with poor OS. Normal carcinoembryonic antigen values were associated with 100% sensitivity for predicting CC0-1. CA19-9 levels of 625 U/mL were associated with a low possibility of predicting CC0-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Histologic grades are associated with disease-free survival when CC0-1 cytoreduction is achieved. Normal preoperative CA19-9 levels were associated with a better OS. CC0-1 cytoreduction is the main determinant of longer survival.