The experience of neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus upfront surgery in resectable pancreatic cancer: a cross sectional study

Germline mutations of homologous recombination genes and clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer: a multicenter study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Cancer susceptibility germline mutations are associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the hereditary status of PDAC and its impact on survival is largely unknown in the Asian population.

METHODS

Exome sequencing was performed on 527 blood samples from PDAC individuals and analyzed for mutations in 80 oncogenic genes. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline variants were diagnosed according to the ACMG variant classification categories. The association between germline homologous recombination gene mutations (gHRmut, including BAP1, BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, BLM, BRIP1, CHEK2, NBN, MUTYH, FANCA and FANCC) and the treatment outcomes was explored in patients with stage III/IV diseases treated with first-line (1L) platinum-based versus platinum-free chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Overall, 104 of 527 (19.7%) patients carried germline P/LP variants. The most common mutated genes were BRCA2 (3.60%), followed by ATR (2.66%) and ATM (1.9%). After a median follow-up duration of 38.3-months (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 35.0-43.7), the median overall survival (OS) was not significantly different among patients with gHRmut, non-HR germline mutations, or no mutation (P = 0.43). Among the 320 patients with stage III/IV disease who received 1L combination chemotherapy, 32 (10%) had gHRmut. Of them, patients receiving 1L platinum-based chemotherapy exhibited a significantly longer median OS compared to those with platinum-free chemotherapy, 26.1 months (95% CI 12.7-33.7) versus 9.6 months (95% CI 5.9-17.6), P = 0.001. However, the median OS of patients without gHRmut was 14.5 months (95% CI 13.2-16.9) and 12.6 months (95% CI 10.8-14.7) for patients receiving 1L platinum-based and platinum-free chemotherapy, respectively (P = 0.22). These results were consistent after adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, tumor stage, performance status, and baseline CA 19.9 in the multivariate Cox regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that nearly 20% of Taiwanese PDAC patients carried germline P/LP variants. The longer survival observed in gHRmut patients treated with 1L platinum-based chemotherapy highlights the importance of germline testing for all patients with advanced PDAC at diagnosis.

Systemic treatments in pancreatic cancer: Taiwan pancreas society recommendation

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Over the past decade, significant therapeutic advancements have improved the survival rates of patients with pancreatic cancer. One of the primary factors contributing to these positive outcomes is the evolution of chemotherapy, from monotherapy to doublet or triplet regimens, and the integration of multimodal approaches. Additionally, targeted agents tailored to patients with specific genetic alterations and the development of cell therapies show promise in benefiting certain subpopulations. This article focuses on examining pivotal studies that explore the role of chemotherapy in neoadjuvant, adjuvant, maintenance, and salvage settings; highlights interesting findings related to cell therapy; and provides an overview of ongoing trials concerning metastatic settings. This review primarily aimed to offer recommendations based on therapeutic evidence, recent advancements in new treatment combinations, and the most innovative approaches. A unique aspect of this review is the inclusion of published papers on clinical trials and real-world data in Taiwan, thus adding a valuable perspective to the overall analysis.

Advanced pancreatic cancer with long-term recurrence-free survival after radical pancreatic resection and subsequent resection of lung metastases twice: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Reports on lung resection for recurrence with lung metastases after the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer have been sporadic, and limited information is currently available on the long-term postoperative course. Furthermore, the significance of the surgical resection of recurrent/metastatic lesions after the resection of pancreatic cancer has not been sufficiently established. We herein present a long-term recurrence-free survivor after perioperative chemotherapy and pancreatic resection for primary pancreatic body cancer who underwent resection for isolated lung metastases twice.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 66-year-old woman with locally advanced pancreatic cancer accompanied by invasion of the splenic artery underwent distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection following preoperative S1 + gemcitabine therapy. Recurrence with lung metastasis was detected 42 and 62 months after resection of the primary lesion, and lung resection was performed both times. As postoperative adjuvant therapies, S1 + gemcitabine therapy was performed after lung resection. The patient has survived free of recurrence for 11 years after resection of the primary lesion and 5 years and 9 months after the second lung resection.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

A long interval from resection of the primary lesion to the occurrence of lung metastases and the high responsiveness of the patient to chemotherapy may have contributed to her long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that if lung metastasis occurring after radical resection of the primary lesion is resected without remnants, aggressive multidisciplinary treatment, including surgical resection with the appropriate selection of cases, may contribute to improvements in patient outcomes.