Effect of intraperitoneal chemotherapy and peritoneal lavage in positive peritoneal cytology in gastric cancer. Systematic review and meta-analysis

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO): Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer, 2023

The 2023 update of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Clinical Guidelines for Gastric Cancer focuses on standardizing cancer diagnosis and treatment in China, reflecting the latest advancements in evidence-based medicine, healthcare resource availability, and precision medicine. These updates address the differences in epidemiological characteristics, clinicopathological features, tumor biology, treatment patterns, and drug selections between Eastern and Western gastric cancer patients. Key revisions include a structured template for imaging diagnosis reports, updated standards for molecular marker testing in pathological diagnosis, and an elevated recommendation for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage III gastric cancer. For advanced metastatic gastric cancer, the guidelines introduce new recommendations for immunotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy and targeted drugs, along with updated management strategies for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) patients. Additionally, the guidelines offer detailed screening recommendations for hereditary gastric cancer and an appendix listing drug treatment regimens for various stages of gastric cancer. The 2023 CSCO Clinical Guidelines for Gastric Cancer updates are based on both Chinese and international clinical research and expert consensus to enhance their applicability and relevance in clinical practice, particularly in the heterogeneous healthcare landscape of China, while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor, impartiality, and timely revisions.

Anatomical Targeting of Anticancer Drugs to Solid Tumors Using Specific Administration Routes: Review

Despite remarkable recent progress in developing anti-cancer agents, outcomes of patients with solid tumors remain unsatisfactory. In general, anti-cancer drugs are systemically administered through peripheral veins and delivered throughout the body. The major problem with systemic chemotherapy is insufficient uptake of intravenous (IV) drugs by targeted tumor tissue. Although dose escalation and treatment intensification have been attempted in order to increase regional concentrations of anti-tumor drugs, these approaches have produced only marginal benefits in terms of patient outcomes, while often damaging healthy organs. To overcome this problem, local administration of anti-cancer agents can yield markedly higher drug concentrations in tumor tissue with less systemic toxicity. This strategy is most commonly used for liver and brain tumors, as well as pleural or peritoneal malignancies. Although the concept is theoretically reasonable, survival benefits are still limited. This review summarizes clinical results and problems and discusses future directions of regional cancer therapy with local administration of chemotherapeutants.

Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic D2 Gastrectomy in Combination with Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in Patients with Gastric Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence-The PIPAC-OPC4 Study

BACKGROUND

Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) are at high risk of peritoneal recurrence despite perioperative chemotherapy and radical resection. This study evaluated feasibility and safety of laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy in combination with pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC).

METHODS

This was a prospective, controlled bi-institutional study in patients with GAC at high risk of recurrence treated with PIPAC with cisplatin and doxorubicin (PIPAC C/D) after laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy. High risk was defined as a poorly cohesive subtype with predominance of signet-ring cells, clinical stage ≥ T3 and/or ≥ N2, or positive peritoneal cytology. Peritoneal lavage fluid was collected before and after resection. Cisplatin (10.5 mg/m²) and doxorubicin (2.1 mg/m²) were aerosolized after anastomosis (flow 0.5-0.8 ml/s, maximum pressure 300 PSI). Treatment was feasible and safe if ≤ 20% had Dindo-Clavien ≥ 3b surgical complications or CTCAE ≥ 4 medical adverse events within 30 days. Secondary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), peritoneal lavage cytology, and completion of postoperative systemic chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were treated with a D2 gastrectomy and PIPAC C/D. The median age was 61 years (range 24-76), there were eleven female patients, and 20 patients had preoperative chemotherapy. There was no mortality. Two patients had grade 3b complications that were potentially related to PIPAC C/D (one anastomotic leakage, and one late duodenal blow-out). One patient had severe neutropenia, and nine patients had moderate pain. The LOS was 6 days (4-26). One patient had positive peritoneal lavage cytology before resection, and none were positive after. Fifteen patients had postoperative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy in combination with PIPAC C/D is feasible and safe.

Application of intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy is a comprehensive therapy that combines intraperitoneal perfusion, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy. It has a good curative effect in peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. In recent years, with the continuous progress of technology and the deepening of research, the scope of application of intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy is more extensive. In this paper, we discuss intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy with regard to its application in gastric cancer, commonly used drugs, safety, and prospects.

Prophylactic surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC CO2) versus standard surgery for gastric carcinoma at high risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis: short and long-term outcomes (GOETH STUDY)-a collaborative randomized controlled trial by ACOI, FONDAZIONE AIOM, SIC, SICE, and SICO

INTRODUCTION

At the time of diagnosis, 15-20% of gastric carcinomas are in stage T4 or T4b. Furthermore, 5-20% of patients undergoing potentially curative surgery suffer from synchronous or metachronous peritoneal metastases. To date, neither surgery nor systemic chemotherapy successfully controls peritoneal dissemination, offering a limited impact on survival. Peritoneal metastases are in fact responsible for death in around 60% of gastric cancer patients. Several Eastern studies in the past have focused on hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as a prophylactic measure in patients with serosal extension, nodal involvement, and positive peritoneal fluid cytology. Therefore, a new multimodal therapeutic strategy based on aggressive surgery plus new locoregional treatment may prolong survival in this particular clinical scenario.

METHODS

This study compares the efficacy of prophylactic surgery (radical gastric resection, appendectomy, resection of the round ligament of the liver, and bilateral adnexectomy) plus hybrid CO2 HIPEC system versus standard surgery in patients with T3-T4 N0-N + gastric adenocarcinoma. Patients will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to the experimental arm or standard surgery. The primary endpoint is to establish the difference in disease-free survival between the groups. The secondary objective is to compare the safety and tolerability of prophylactic surgery plus HIPEC CO₂ versus standard surgery.

DISCUSSION

Considering the poor prognosis of patients with peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer, a prophylactic strategy to prevent peritoneal metastases may be beneficial. In patients with gastric cancer at high risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis, we propose aggressive surgical treatment with radical gastrectomy, removal of organs at risk of harbouring tumour cells, and HIPEC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03917173. Registered on 16 April 2019.

PROTOCOL VERSION

v1, March 27, 2019. Protocol number: IRFMN-GCC-7813. EudraCT number: 2019-001478-27.

Perspectives on the Management of Oligometastatic Disease in Esophago-Gastric Cancer

Gastric adenocarcinoma and esophageal cancer are the fifth and seventh most common cancer types worldwide. At the time of initial diagnosis, up to 50% of esophagogastric cancers present with distant metastatic lesions and are candidates for chemotherapy. Curative surgery in this stage is still an experimental approach. Only a small number of these metastatic patients show an oligometastatic disease with no uniform definition of what oligometastatic means in gastric cancer. Nevertheless, the question remains unanswered as to whether these patients are still candidates for curative concepts. Some studies have attempted to answer this question but have not been adequately designed to address the role of a curative-intended multimodal therapy in this setting. The current FLOT-5 is designed to potentially provide a definitive answer to the question of whether curatively intended surgery plays a role or is a disadvantage in this setting.

Intraperitoneal administration of nanoparticles containing tocopheryl succinate prevents peritoneal dissemination

Intraperitoneal administration of anticancer nanoparticles is a rational strategy for preventing peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer owing to the prolonged retention of nanoparticles in the abdominal cavity. However, instability of nanoparticles in body fluids causes inefficient retention, reducing its anticancer effects. We have previously developed anticancer nanoparticles containing tocopheryl succinate, which showed high in vivo stability and multifunctional anticancer effects. In the present study, we have demonstrated that peritoneal dissemination derived from colon cancer was prevented by intraperitoneal administration of tocopheryl succinate nanoparticles. The biodistribution of tocopheryl succinate nanoparticles was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and imaging analysis in mice administered quantum dot encapsulated tocopheryl succinate nanoparticles. Intraperitoneal administration of tocopheryl succinate nanoparticles showed longer retention in the abdominal cavity than by its intravenous administration. Moreover, due to effective biodistribution, tumor growth was prevented by intraperitoneal administration of tocopheryl succinate nanoparticles. Furthermore, the anticancer effect was attributed to the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and improvement of the intraperitoneal microenvironment, such as decrease in the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A, interleukin 10, and M2-like phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages. Collectively, intraperitoneal administration of tocopheryl succinate nanoparticles is expected to have multifaceted antitumor effects against colon cancer with peritoneal dissemination.

Primary and metastatic peritoneal surface malignancies

Peritoneal surface malignancies comprise a heterogeneous group of primary tumours, including peritoneal mesothelioma, and peritoneal metastases of other tumours, including ovarian, gastric, colorectal, appendicular or pancreatic cancers. The pathophysiology of peritoneal malignancy is complex and not fully understood. The two main hypotheses are the transformation of mesothelial cells (peritoneal primary tumour) and shedding of cells from a primary tumour with implantation of cells in the peritoneal cavity (peritoneal metastasis). Diagnosis is challenging and often requires modern imaging and interventional techniques, including surgical exploration. In the past decade, new treatments and multimodal strategies helped to improve patient survival and quality of life and the premise that peritoneal malignancies are fatal diseases has been dismissed as management strategies, including complete cytoreductive surgery embedded in perioperative systemic chemotherapy, can provide cure in selected patients. Furthermore, intraperitoneal chemotherapy has become an important part of combination treatments. Improving locoregional treatment delivery to enhance penetration to tumour nodules and reduce systemic uptake is one of the most active research areas. The current main challenges involve not only offering the best treatment option and developing intraperitoneal therapies that are equivalent to current systemic therapies but also defining the optimal treatment sequence according to primary tumour, disease extent and patient preferences. New imaging modalities, less invasive surgery, nanomedicines and targeted therapies are the basis for a new era of intraperitoneal therapy and are beginning to show encouraging outcomes.

Molecular Cytology by One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) Assay of Peritoneal Washings during D2 Gastrectomy in Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients: Preliminary Results

The presence of peritoneal free cancer cells (FCC) in gastric cancer (GC) patients is a poor prognostic factor. D2 gastrectomy may induce exfoliated FCC spread from the primary tumour or involved lymph nodes (LN). Conventional cytology for FCC detection has several limitations, whereas prophylactic use of extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (IPL) does not improve survival. A prospective single-arm observational study was conducted to verify whether D2 gastrectomy causes an intraoperative increase of FCC in peritoneal fluid. Twenty-seven GC patients underwent D2 gastrectomy, followed by objective quantitative measurements of CK19 mRNA level reflecting FCC with One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) assay. The IPL with 3000 mL of saline was performed twice: (1) after gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and (2) after alimentary tract reconstruction. The IPL samples were analysed by initial cytology and four (1-4) consecutive OSNA assays. Initial OSNA measurement (1) revealed positive results (≥24.6 cCP/μL) in 7 (29.6%) patients. Subsequent OSNA measurements showed a significant decrease in the FCC level after D2 gastrectomy (1 vs. 2; p = 0.0012). The first IPL induced a non-significant increase in the FCCs (2 vs. 3, p = 0.3300), but the second IPL reversed it to normal levels (3 vs. 4, p = 0.0.0574). The OSNA assay indicates a temporal intraoperative increase in the peritoneal FCC in advanced GC patients undergoing D2 gastrectomy. Two consecutive IPLs are necessary to reverse the increase of CK19 mRNA level in peritoneal washings.

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO): Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer, 2021

There exist differences in the epidemiological characteristics, clinicopathological features, tumor biological characteristics, treatment patterns, and drug selections between gastric cancer patients from the Eastern and Western countries. The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) has organized a panel of senior experts specializing in all sub-specialties of gastric cancer to compile a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer since 2016 and renews it annually. Taking into account regional differences, giving full consideration to the accessibility of diagnosis and treatment resources, these experts have conducted expert consensus judgment on relevant evidence and made various grades of recommendations for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer to reflect the value of cancer treatment and meeting health economic indexes in China. The 2021 CSCO Clinical Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer covers the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and screening of gastric cancer. Based on the 2020 version of the CSCO Chinese Gastric Cancer guidelines, this updated guideline integrates the results of major clinical studies from China and overseas for the past year, focused on the inclusion of research data from the Chinese population for more personalized and clinically relevant recommendations. For the comprehensive treatment of non-metastatic gastric cancer, attentions were paid to neoadjuvant treatment. The value of perioperative chemotherapy is gradually becoming clearer and its recommendation level has been updated. For the comprehensive treatment of metastatic gastric cancer, recommendations for immunotherapy were included, and immune checkpoint inhibitors from third-line to the first-line of treatment for different patient groups with detailed notes are provided.

Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy-Related Clinical Trials in the Treatment of Peritoneal Metastases

INTRODUCTION

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a treatment option for patients with peritoneal metastases. We evaluated the current status of ongoing prospective clinical trials investigating PIPAC to provide an overview and predict trends in this field.

METHODS

All 367,494 records of clinical trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for trials dealing with PIPAC. Active or unpublished trials were further analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 22 clinical trials were identified and selected for further analyses. Most trials had a single-arm design and were phase I or II. No phase III trials were registered. Academic centers were recorded as primary sponsors in the majority of trials (63.6%). Every year, between 2 and 5 new trials were initiated. In 17 trials (81.8%), PIPAC was used in a palliative setting only, 2 trials performed PIPAC in a neoadjuvant setting, and 2 trials performed PIPAC in an adjuvant setting. Six different drugs (doxorubicin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, nab-paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and docetaxel) were used in these clinical trials. Most trials investigated the efficacy (n = 15) or safety (n = 7) of PIPAC therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of ongoing clinical trials will bring specific information on indications for PIPAC as well as the impact of PIPAC on quality of life and overall survival.

Progress and controversy in treatment of gastric cancer patients with positive peritoneal lavage cytology

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China, and peritoneal metastasis is common in patients with gastric cancer. Positive peritoneal lavage cytology indicates a special type of distant metastasis of gastric cancer, and its therapeutic principle is still unclear. At present, the cornerstone treatment for advanced gastric cancer is radical surgery combined with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and conversion therapy is very important for gastric cancer patients with positive peritoneal lavage cytology. Negative conversion of peritoneal lavage can effectively improve the prognosis. Intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy and intraoperative intraperitoneal lavage provide new ideas for the treatment of such patients, which can effectively kill free cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. At present, most clinical studies on the principles of treatment of gastric cancer patients with positive peritoneal lavage cytology are retrospective with a small sample size. We recommend to conduct multidisciplinary MDT discussions and develop individualized treatment plans for these patients, and encourage them to participate in relevant clinical trials.

Survival outcomes and prognostic indicators for gastric cancer patients with positive peritoneal wash cytology but no peritoneal metastasis after radical gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Positive peritoneal wash cytology with no peritoneal metastasis (CY1P0) is a special type of distant gastric cancer metastasis, which describes a patient with positive peritoneal lavage cytology, but no definitive peritoneal metastasis, and there are no widely accepted treatment guidelines. We enrolled 48 primary CY1P0 gastric cancer patients treated by radical gastrectomy in this study. Our study illustrated the efficacy of radical gastrectomy for CY1P0 gastric cancer patients, and suggested that the pathological N factor and vascular invasion were significant independent risk factors for overall survival (OS).

AIM

To assess the survival of CY1P0 gastric cancer patient post-radical gastrectomy, and to identify factors associated with long-term prognosis.

METHODS

Our study included 48 patients with primary CY1P0 gastric cancer who had radical gastrectomies at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China between 2013 and 2018. R0 resection was achieved in all 48 patients. Twelve patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thirty patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and four received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. OS statistics were available for 48 patients. Follow-up continued through March 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to identify prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Median OS was 22.0 mo (95% confidence interval: 13.366-30.634 mo) post-surgery. Univariate analyses demonstrated that tumor site (P = 0.021), pathological N factor (P = 0.001), pathological T factor (P = 0.028), vascular invasion (P = 0.046), and the level of CA199 prior to initiating therapy (P = 0.002) were significant risk factors for OS. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that pathological N factor (P = 0.001) and vascular invasion (P = 0.031) were significant independent risk factors for OS.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that radical gastrectomy may be efficient for CY1P0 gastric cancer patient post-radical gastrectomy and the pathological N factor and vascular invasion are significant independent risk factors for OS.

The importance of primary tumor origin in gastrointestinal malignancies undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background

Appendiceal and colorectal cancers with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) can derive benefit from cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). However, its role in gastric and small bowel malignancies remains undefined.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 251 gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas with PC which underwent CRS/HIPEC at our institution from 2007 to 2017. We compared outcomes of gastric, small bowel, appendiceal, and colorectal cohorts.

Results

Thirty-one gastric, 8 small bowel, 91 appendiceal, and 121 colorectal cohorts were included. More gastric cancers (90%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy than any other cohort, p = 0.002. Although colorectal had the lowest peritoneal cancer index (PCI) (9) and appendiceal the highest (16), all cohorts underwent similar rates of organ resection and complete cytoreduction. Length of stay (p = 0.005) and major perioperative morbidity (Clavien III/IV, p = 0.011) were significantly higher in gastric and small bowel. Median overall survival (OS, p < 0.001) was significantly shorter in gastric (13 months) and small bowel (9 months) than in appendiceal (33 months) and colorectal (42 months) cohorts. On multivariate analysis, complete cytoreduction and PCI score were significant predictors of OS, p < 0.05.

Conclusions

Primary tumor origin significantly affects outcomes after CRS/HIPEC for gastrointestinal malignancies. Though there was a survival benefit in appendiceal and colorectal, gastric and small bowel survival was comparable to systemic chemotherapy.

Multi-Modality Treatment for Patients With Metastatic Gastric Cancer: A Real-World Study in China

Introduction: People with metastatic gastric cancer (GC) have a poor prognosis. The study aims to investigate the efficacy of multi-modality treatment for patients with metastatic GC.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 267 patients with stage IV gastric cancer who were treated with systemic chemotherapy: 114 received multi-modality treatments, 153 received systematic chemotherapy alone. The survival of these two groups was compared by log rank test, the independent prognostic factors were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: The median survival of metastatic GC patients who received multi-modality treatment was significantly longer than those who received systematic chemotherapy alone (18.4 vs. 11.4 months, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified tumor histologic differentiation, CA19–9 level, previous curative resection, palliative gastrectomy, and metastasectomy as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. In the multimodality treatment group, patients who received palliative gastrectomy or metastasectomy had a longer survival than those who only received intraperitoneal chemotherapy or radiotherapy (21.6 vs. 15.2 months, P = 0.014).

Conclusion: Multi-modality treatments offer a survival benefit for patients with metastatic GC. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm the result.

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO): clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer

China is one of the countries with the highest incidence of gastric cancer. There are differences in epidemiological characteristics, clinicopathological features, tumor biological characteristics, treatment patterns, and drug selection between gastric cancer patients from the Eastern and Western countries. Non-Chinese guidelines cannot specifically reflect the diagnosis and treatment characteristics for the Chinese gastric cancer patients. The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) arranged for a panel of senior experts specializing in all sub-specialties of gastric cancer to compile, discuss, and revise the guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer based on the findings of evidence-based medicine in China and abroad. By referring to the opinions of industry experts, taking into account of regional differences, giving full consideration to the accessibility of diagnosis and treatment resources, these experts have conducted experts’ consensus judgement on relevant evidence and made various grades of recommendations for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer to reflect the value of cancer treatment and meeting health economic indexes. This guideline uses tables and is complemented by explanatory and descriptive notes covering the diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and follow-up visits for gastric cancer.

History of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Treatment in Japan

In this review, Japanese experience of cytoreductive surgery and perioperative chemotherapy is described. The new concept of peritoneal metastasis (PM) type, i.e., trans-mesothelial, trans-lymphatic, and superficial growing metastasis type was proposed in 2012. Surgeons should perform peritonectomy according to the type of PM. Since 1980, Japanese surgical oncologists have been spearheading the use of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) as treatment for PM from gastric cancer. Two RCTs were conducted to verify the effect of HIPEC for the prophylaxis of peritoneal recurrence after curative resection of advanced gastric cancer. These two studies indicated that HIPEC is effective in preventing peritoneal recurrence of gastric cancer with serosal invasion. In 2002, intraperitoneal chemotherapy using taxans was developed for the treatment of PM from gastric cancer and led to the development of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal/systemic chemotherapy (NIPS), which was reported in 2006. In 2009, extensive intra-operative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) was developed, and contributed to the remarkable improvement in survival of patients with positive lavage cytology as demonstrated by prospective randomized clinical trials. In 2017, the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International proposed the value of complete cytoreduction and peritoneal cancer index cut-off as independent prognostic factors after CRS for gastric cancer with PM. Founded in 2016, the Japanese/Asian School of Peritoneal Surface Oncology (JASPSO) trains beginners to perform CRS and HIPEC safely. Sixteen students have already graduated from JASPSO and started to perform the treatment in their home countries.

Advanced gastric cancer: the value of systemic and intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Several possibilities in treating advanced gastric cancer exist. Radical surgery associated with chemotherapy represents the cornerstone. Which one is more effective among neoadjuvant, adjuvant or perioperative chemotherapy is still a matter of debate. Several innovative results showed the necessity to keep increasingly into consideration the intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapies. Moreover, classical drugs and their ways of administration should be combined with the new ones to improve results. Lastly the prevention of recurrence should be considered: one possibility is to administer intraperitoneal chemotherapy earlier in the therapeutic algorithm. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Review and Update on the Role of Peritoneal Cytology in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Positive peritoneal cytology (Cyt+) even in the absence of macroscopic disease is associated with poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer and deemed as M1 disease. Recent years have seen advancements in the evaluation strategies for peritoneal washings and management of patients with Cyt+. The aim of this review was to describe the newest paradigms in the management of patients with gastric cancer who have Cyt+ without macroscopic peritoneal metastases.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify studies on the management of gastric cancer and thereby to summarize relevant information on the accuracy of various diagnostic tests and controversies involved in the treatment of patients with Cyt+.

RESULTS

Although conventional cytology remains the standard technique for assessment of peritoneal washings, it is limited by low sensitivity. The role of immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques for the assessment of peritoneal washings is evolving. Although systemic chemotherapy remains the standard of care for patients with Cyt+ disease, the role of gastrectomy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, extensive intraperitoneal saline lavage, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is being evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical decision-making in patients with Cyt+ remains controversial given the seemingly technical resectable albeit biologically unresectable or aggressive disease that portends an overall poor prognosis. Current management strategies are evolving, and further studies are needed to develop an optimal treatment strategy for these patients.

Mixed lineage kinase-4 promotes gastric carcinoma tumorigenesis through suppression of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway

Mixed lineage kinase-4 (MLK-4) is an important member of the mixed-lineage family of kinases that regulates the extracellular signal-regulated kinases and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. The functions and mechanisms of MLK-4 in cancer initiation and progression have not been well understood. The present study investigated the expression, function and regulatory mechanism of MLK-4 in gastric carcinoma cells. Biochemical data indicated that normal MLK-4 was downregulated, which exerted dominant negative effects on gastric carcinoma cell viability, migration and invasion. The experimental data demonstrated that MLK-4 supplement abrogated activity of these mutants and induced inhibitory effects on gastric carcinoma cell viabilty, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. In addition, to determine the regulatory mechanism of MLK-4, its signaling pathway was assessed in gastric carcinoma cancer cells by regulating MLK-4. The present observations indicated that restoring MLK-4 activity by supplemental MLK-4 reduced gastric carcinoma cell colony formation in vitro and suppressed tumor viability, migration and invasion in vivo. The results of the present study indicated that MLK-4 may be a potential protein for targeting gastric carcinoma by suppressing kinases, which may lead to reduction of JNK signaling and enhance therapeutic efficacy in gastric carcinoma.

Extensive intraperitoneal lavage to eliminate intraperitoneal tumor cells in gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION:

Survival in gastric cancer is often limited by peritoneal carcinomatosis, which supposedly develops from serosal tumor infiltration or tumor cell spread during gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy. To eliminate peritoneal tumor cells, extensive intraperitoneal lavage (EIPL) has been suggested. Impressive results have been achieved in Japanese trials. In this trial, we assessed EIPL in Western patients.

METHODS:

This prospective trial included patients with non-metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. Peritoneal fluid samples at laparotomy, after lymphadenectomy, and after EIPL were analyzed for tumor cells using cytology and EpCAM antibodies. The primary endpoint was peritoneal conversion rate (PCR; proportion of patients in whom EIPL eliminated tumor cells after lymphadenectomy). Secondary endpoints were peritoneal release rate (PRR; proportion of patients with peritoneal tumor cells after gastrectomy/lymphadenectomy among all patients without cells before gastrectomy/lymphadenectomy) and prevalence of peritoneal tumor cells before resection. EIPL was considered ineffective if PCR ⩽ 0.2 and warranted further exploration if PCR ⩾ 0.5. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT01476553.

RESULTS:

The trial was stopped early because tumor cells after gastrectomy/lymphadenectomy were detected in only 3/27 (11.1%) patients. In none of these did EIPL eliminate tumor cells (PCR 0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0%-12.5%). In 8/27 (29.6%) patients, tumor cells were detected after EIPL. PRR was 11.1% (95% CI 2.4%-29.2%). There were no perioperative complications higher than Clavien-Dindo grade 3a.

CONCLUSIONS:

In Western patients, free peritoneal tumor cells after gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer were detected only sporadically. Although based on few cases, the findings suggest that EIPL spreads tumor cells into the peritoneal cavity, thus being potentially harmful. Therefore, EIPL cannot be generally recommended.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian and gastrointestinal peritoneal carcinomatosis: results from a 7-year experience

Background

An increasing promising evidence and increasing long-term oncologic outcomes support the use of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as locoregional treatment for peritoneal carcinosis (PC) especially from ovarian and gastrointestinal tumors, but also for others cancers.

Methods

A prospective monocentric study was performed in Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo (Italy). Patients and tumor characteristics were analyzed. Overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS) and morbidity were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing.

Results

A total of 150 patients undergone CRS + HIPEC were analyzed from January 2011 to June 2017. The principal origins of PC were: gastric cancer (GC) (n=40), colon cancer (n=31), appendiceal cancer (AC) (n=18), ovarian cancer (OC) (n=49), others (n=12). Major morbidity [≥3 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE)] and perioperative mortality rates were 38% and 2.7% respectively. Re-operation rate was 15.3%. Median OS is 9, 35, 47, 51, 82 months (29% 3-year OS; 27% 5-year OS; 48% 5-year OS; 40% 5-year OS; 67% 5-year OS respectively) in GC, colorectal cancer (CRC), OC, others tumors and AC respectively. Median DFS is 4, 14, 17, 19, 82 months (32% 3-year DFS; 22% 5-year DFS; 29% 5-year DFS; 11% 5-year DFS; 67% 5-year DFS respectively) in GC, CRC, others tumors, OC and AC respectively.

Conclusions

A therapeutic approach that combined CRS + HIPEC could achieve long-term survival in selected groups of patients with PC from gastrointestinal, gynecological and others tumors with acceptable morbidity and mortality. A good expertise and a high volume of patients are necessary to manage PC and to further improve results.

Overall and disease-free survival in patients treated with CRS + HIPEC with cisplatin and paclitaxel for gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Our experience regarding cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was reviewed in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (SPC) and metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (MPC) from gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

An analysis of prospectively collected data about patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC from July 2011 to July 2016 was carried out. Patients and tumor characteristics were taken into consideration together with pre and post-operative data. The outcomes concerned OS and DFS in both groups.

RESULTS

A total of 17 cases were reported. All patients of SPC group underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while all patients of MPC group underwent adjuvant chemotherapy subsequently to surgery of the primary tumor. The mean follow up period was 9 months (SD±9.5). Thirteen patients (76.5%) had SPC and four (23.5%) had MPC. The mean total Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) was 8.5 (SD±8.4). The mean PCI was 3.75 (SD±4.9) for SPC group and 16 (SD±9.5) for MPC (P=0.003). HIPEC regimen was cisplatin plus paclitaxel for fourteen patients (82.4%) and cisplatin plus mitomycin-C (MMC) for three patients (17.6%). OS was 16 months and 6 months respectively in patients with SPC and MPC (P=0.189). DFS was 11 months and 2 months respectively in the two groups (P=0.156). Patients with SPC patients and PCI ≥12 were significantly different in terms of DFS from SPC with PCI <12 (P=0.001). Overall, twelve patients had postoperative major complications (CTCAE>2), in particular eight (61%) in SPC group while four (100%) in MPC group. Our study showed significantly better DFS for patients aged >60 years (P=0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

HIPEC and CRS with cisplatin and paclitaxel in patients with PC from GC showed promising results in improving the DFS and the OS, particularly for patients with PCI <12 and for those aged >60. Although a high incidence of complications was revealed, especially in MPC group.

A study of peritoneal metastatic xenograft model of colorectal cancer in the treatment of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with Raltitrexed

Peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer is one of the most incident and fateful diseases among relapse cases. It shows a certain resistance to systemic chemotherapy. The perfusion system in clinic is complex and hard to be used in fundamental researches. This study aims at evaluating the effect of an improved hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with Raltitrexed used in tumor-bearing mice with peritoneal metastatic colorectal carcinoma. The results showed that no severe adverse effect was observed. All control animals developed extensive peritoneal and mesenteric metastatic nodes. Tumor sites in the treatment groups were reduced significantly. The administration dose of Raltitrexed influenced concentration in systemic blood and peritoneal tissues. Temperature promoted the intracellular absorption of Raltitrexed significantly. Our findings reveal that hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is an efficient therapy in treating peritoneal metastatic carcinoma in nude mice. It can effectively reduce the extension of carcinoma cells from macro and micro examination. The combination of hyperthermia and Raltitrexed resulted in an improved therapeutic effect on animal models.

Morphology of the peritoneal cavity and pathophysiological consequences

The peritoneal cavity (cavum peritonei) is incompletely divided into spaces and recessus (or fossae), which are playing an important role in health and disease. Peritoneal subspaces are determined by the parietal attachments of the abdominal organs, the ligaments and mesenteries. These include the splenorenal, the falciform, the triangular, the gastrosplenic, the phrenicocolic and the gastrocolic ligaments; the greater omentum and the lesser omentum (formed by the gastrohepatic and hepatoduodenal ligaments); the small bowel mesenterium and the mesocolon. These ligaments and mesenteries divide the peritoneal cavity into several distinct anatomic and functional regions. The supramesocolic compartment is divided into a bilateral subphrenic space and a subhepatic space continuing into the lesser sac (bursa omentalis). The inframesolic compartment is divided into a left and right region by the mesentery. The right paracolic gutter communicates with the pelvis and with the right suphrenic space. The left paracolic gutter is separated from the left subphrenic space by the phrenocolic ligament. The peritoneal space is virtual, is completely occupied by the intraabdominal organs and can only be visualized by radiological means in the presence of air (organ perforation), liquid (ascites, pus, bile, gastrointestinal fluids) or tumor invasion. Peritoneal morphology has numerous pathophysiological implications: it impacts on the propagation of intraabdominal infections, determines the spreading of peritoneal metastasis and can cause bowel volvulus. Internal hernias can arise at the junction between intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal bowel segments, in particular into the left paraduodenal recessus. Knowledge of peritoneal morphology is a precondition for developing locoregional therapeutic strategies in peritoneal disease and for effective peritoneal dialysis.

The Importance of Extensive Intraoperative Peritoneal Lavage as a Promising Method in Patients with Gastric Cancer Showing Positive Peritoneal Cytology Without Overt Peritoneal Metastasis and Other Therapeutic Approaches

Peritoneal invasion is more common and has a worse prognosis in gastric cancer than most of other intestinal cancers. Advanced gastric cancers have a poor course in terms of the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis and prognosis, even if the curative resection has been performed. Patients usually die within the first 2 years of the postoperative period mainly due to peritoneal metastasis. It is, therefore, essential to eradicate intraperitoneal free cancer cells to prevent peritoneal recurrences. A standard therapy has not been developed yet for patients with gastric cancer with a positive peritoneal cytology or a gross peritoneal metastasis. Curative resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, postoperative oral S-1 chemotherapy, intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC), and extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL)-IPC are recommended as therapeutic approaches. Although there is a limited number of studies on EIPL, which is a promising and exciting method in this patient population, unexpected results of survival have been demonstrated. We consider that the results of ongoing and further studies would lead to an extensive use of EIPL, which is a simple and easy method which can be applied anywhere and anytime, in patients with advanced gastic cancer and/or peritoneal cytology positive but peritoneal metastasis negative (CY+/P0) gastric cancer.