Removal of EpCAM-positive tumor cells from blood collected during major oncological surgery using the Catuvab device- a pilot study

Multifaceted Approaches in Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-Mediated Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are pivotal in cancer metastasis and serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. Traditional CTC capture methods predominantly utilize the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) as a marker for isolation. However, the heterogeneity of these circulating cells and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process (wherein epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics) limit the efficacy of EpCAM-based capture techniques. In this paper, we critically review the role of the EpCAM in CTC capture, explore the impact of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition on EpCAM expression, and discuss alternative biomarkers and strategies to enhance CTC isolation. By evaluating the limitations of EpCAM-mediated capture and the challenges posed by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, we aim to provide insights into the development of more comprehensive liquid biopsy approaches for cancer management.

Reduction of EpCAM-Positive Cells from a Cell Salvage Product Is Achieved by Leucocyte Depletion Filters Alone

Intraoperative cell salvage reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in complex cancer surgery, but concerns about the possibility of it re-infusing cancer cells have hindered its application in oncology. We monitored the presence of cancer cells on patient-salvaged blood by means of flow cytometry; next, we simulated cell salvage, followed by leucodepletion and irradiation on blood contaminated with a known amount of EpCAM-expressing cancer cells, assessing also residual cancer cell proliferation as well as the quality of salvaged red blood cell concentrates (RBCs). We observed a significant reduction of EpCAM-positive cells in both cancer patients and contaminated blood, which was comparable to the negative control after leucodepletion. The washing, leucodepletion and leucodepletion plus irradiation steps of cell salvage were shown to preserve the quality of RBCs in terms of haemolysis, membrane integrity and osmotic resistance. Finally, cancer cells isolated from salvaged blood lose their ability to proliferate. Our results confirm that cell salvage does not concentrate proliferating cancer cells, and that leucodepletion allows for the reduction of residual nucleated cells, making irradiation unnecessary. Our study gathers pieces of evidence on the feasibility of this procedure in complex cancer surgery. Nevertheless, it highlights the necessity of finding a definitive consensus through prospective trials.

Blood-saving dissection with monopolar tungsten needle electrodes and Teflon-coated spatula electrodes in tumor orthopedics

INTRODUCTION

Resection of musculoskeletal tumors and reconstruction with tumor endoprostheses often results in blood loss requiring transfusion of blood products. We assessed the blood-saving potential of using monopolar tungsten needle electrodes and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated spatula electrodes (intervention) compared with conventional dissection with sharp instruments and coagulation with uncoated steel electrodes (control).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 132 patients (79 interventions, 53 controls) undergoing surgery by one single experienced surgeon in our tertiary referral center between 2012 and 2021.

RESULTS

Intraoperative blood loss in the intervention group was reduced by 29% [median (IQR): 700 (400-1200) vs 500 (200-700) ml; p = 0.0043]. Postoperative wound drainage decreased by 41% [median (IQR): 1230 (668-2041) vs 730 (450-1354) ml; p = 0.0080]. Additionally, patients in need of PRBCs during surgery declined from 43% to 15% (23/53 vs 12/79; p = 0.0005), while the transfusion rate after surgery did not change notably. The number of patients in need of revision surgery due to wound healing disorders was low in both groups (control group: 4/53 vs intervention group: 4/79). Only one patient in the control group and two patients in the intervention group underwent revision surgery due to hemorrhage. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (sex, Charlson Comorbidity score, tumor entity).

CONCLUSION

Dissection with tungsten needle electrodes and PTFE-coated spatula electrodes appears an effective surgical blood-saving measure without increased risk of wound healing disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective comparative study.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT05164809.

[Implementation of Patient Blood Management as Standard-of-Care]

Anaemia is among the most common co-morbidity in surgical patients. However, it often remains unrecognized and untreated, which results in an increased requirement for allogeneic blood products and complications. Patient Blood Management offers patient-centred and evidence-based therapies and preventive measures for anaemia. Patient Blood Management is composed of 3 main pillars: pre-operative anaemia management, blood loss reduction and the rational use of allogeneic blood products. The World Health Organization demands the implementation of Patient Blood Management measures since 2010. However, a comprehensive implementation of Patient Blood Management as a standard-of-care is still not achieved. Here, we describe the need for a comprehensive Patient Blood Management implementation and highlight several specific Patient Blood Management measures.

Die maschinelle Autotransfusion – Patient Blood Management im OP

Die Rückführung von eigenem Blut, das während einer Operation oder bei Wunddrainagen ansonsten verloren ginge, kann äußerst sinnvoll sein. Hierbei wird das Wundblut abgesaugt, in speziellen Geräten aufbereitet und dem Patienten wieder zurückgegeben. Ein großer Vorteil der MAT besteht darin, dass das Blut weder gelagert noch gekühlt werden muss und somit lagerungsbedingte Schäden an den Erythrozyten verhindert werden. Bislang etablierte Einsatzgebiete der MAT sind herzchirurgische, gefäßchirurgische, orthopädische Eingriffe und nach Bestrahlung auch Tumoroperationen.

Die MAT ist ein fester Bestandteil des Patient Blood Managements (PBM) und stellt eine effektive Maßnahme dar, um den Fremdblutbedarf bei großen Operationen mit erwarteten Blutverlusten von über 500 ml deutlich zu reduzieren.