Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin followed by D2 gastrectomy with para-aortic lymph node dissection for gastric cancer with extensive lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND

Locally advanced gastric cancer with extensive regional and/or para-aortic lymph node (PAN) metastases is typically unresectable and associated with poor outcomes. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of S-1 plus cisplatin followed by extended surgery with PAN dissection for gastric cancer with extensive lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

Patients with gastric cancer with bulky lymph node metastasis along the coeliac artery and its branches and/or PAN metastasis received two or three 28-day cycles of S-1 plus cisplatin, followed by gastrectomy with D2 plus PAN dissection. The primary endpoint was the percentage of complete resections with clear margins in the primary tumour (R0 resection). A target sample size of 50 with one-sided α of 0.105 and β of approximately 0.2 corresponded to an expected R0 rate of 65 per cent and a threshold of 50 per cent.

RESULTS

Between February 2005 and June 2007, 53 patients were enrolled, of whom 51 were eligible. The R0 resection rate was 82 per cent. Clinical and pathological response rates were 65 and 51 per cent respectively. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 59 and 53 per cent respectively. During chemotherapy, grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 19 per cent and grade 3/4 non-haematological adverse events in 15.4 per cent. The incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events related to surgery was 12 per cent. There were no reoperations or treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

For locally advanced gastric cancer with extensive lymph node metastasis, 4-weekly S-1 plus cisplatin followed by surgery including PAN dissection was safe and effective for some patients. Further investigation of this treatment strategy is warranted.

An integrated analysis of two phase II trials (JCOG0001 and JCOG0405) of preoperative chemotherapy followed by D3 gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) with extensive lymph node metastasis (ELM)

90

Background: GC with ELM (bulky N2 metastasis and / or para-aortic lymph node metastases [PAN]) is commonly regarded unresectable, while in JCOG combined modality treatment has been tested since 2000 (JCOG0001 and JCOG0405). Both trials met their primary endpoints (i.e., 3 year-survival of 27.3% in JCOG0001 and R0 resection of 82.4% in JCOG0405). The survival and the toxicity profile were quite different between the trials despite the similar eligibility with an outstanding 3-year survival of 58.8% in JCOG0405. This study is conducted to explore if survival is still better in JCOG0405 after adjusting baseline factors and if there is a subset of patients (pts) who benefit more from either treatment.

Methods: Eligibility criteria for both included histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma; bulky nodal involvement around major branched arteries to the stomach and/or PAN; cM0 (except PAN); negative lavage cytology; not linitis plastica type; PS of 0 or 1. Pts received two or three cycles of induction chemotherapy of IP: irinotecan (70 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 15) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2 on day 1) in JCOG0001, or SP: S1 (80 mg/m2 from day 1 to 21) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 on day 8) in JCOG0405, followed by D3 gastrectomy. Multivariate analysis for overall survival adjusting baseline factors and treatment (IP/SP) was performed with a Cox regression model. Interaction tests were also carried out between baseline factors and treatment.

Results: After adjusting baseline factors, SP was superior than IP for overall survival (HR=0.335: 0.184 – 0.612). There was only interaction effect between treatment and the status of lymph node metastases (bulkyN+/PAN- vs bulkyN-/PAN+ vs bulkyN+/PAN+; p=0.1306).

Conclusions: SP was shown to be the favorable treatment for GC with ELM by multivariate analysis, while poor prognosis in pts having both bulky N+ and PAN+ may necessitate further treatment improvement.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase II study of preoperative chemotherapy with S-1 (S) and cisplatin (P) followed by D3 gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) with extensive lymph node metastasis (ELM): Survival results of JCOG0405

70

Background: GC with ELM, especially in case of M1(LYM), is regarded unresectable in many countries, while challenge is ongoing in Japan to treat them by intensive chemotherapy followed by super extended surgery. In our previous phase II study (JCOG0001) for the same population, iritotecan plus P (IP) chemotherapy followed by surgery showed remarkable survival of 27.0% at 3 years but its toxicity led to rather high treatment related death (TRD). Development of safer and more effective treatment is urged.

Methods: Eligibility criteria included histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma; bulky nodal involvement around major branched arteries to the stomach and/or para-aortic nodal metastases; cM0 (except para-aortic nodes); negative lavage cytology; not linitis plastica type; PS of 0 or 1. Patients (pts) received two or three 28- day cycles of induction chemotherapy of S (80 mg/m2 from day 1 to 21) and P (60 mg/m2 on day 8), and then underwent D3 gastrectomy. Primary endpoint was R0 resection and key secondary endpoint was 3-year survival. Other secondary endpoints included response rate and adverse events.

Results: Between 02/2005 and 06/2007, 53 pts were enrolled and 2 pts were ineligible. Only surrogate endpoints of efficacy and feasibility were reported in ASCO-GI 2008, which included clinical response of 64.7%, R0 of 82.4%, pathological response of 51.0%, and no TRD with low toxicities. The 3-year overall survival, which we first clarified in this report, was 58.8% (95% CI, 44.1-70.9%).

Conclusions: Preoperative SP followed by D3 gastrectomy demonstrated excellent 3-year survival with low mortality compared with preoperative IP, which was far better result than expected against this unresectable population. This multimodal treatment is highly promising for GC with ELM.

[Table: see text]

Impact of c-kit mutations, including codons 557 and/or 558, on the recurrence-free survival after curative surgery in patients with GIST

12

Background: Recently, c-kit exon 11 deletions, including codons 557 and/or 558, have been reported to predict a worse prognosis in GIST patients. However, it is difficult to prove the correlation between genotype and tumor aggressiveness in the imatinib- adjuvant era because exon 11 mutations respond well to imatinib. In this study, we evaluated the impact of c-kit mutational status on recurrence-free survival (RFS) after resection of primary GIST.

Methods: Clinical and pathological characteristics of 89 GIST patients in our single institution study were retrospectively analyzed. Tumors were categorized into 4 subgroups based on their mutational locations; A1: mutated codons including neither 557 nor 558, A2: either 557 or 558, B1: only 557 and 558, B2: both 557 and 558. All of the patients underwent curative surgery, and none received adjuvant imatinib. The median duration of follow-up was 49 months.

Results: Tumors originated from the stomach (n=75/89, 84%), small intestine (n=10), and colorectum (n=4). Mutation subgroup B was associated with both Fletcher and Miettinen high-risk categories. The 2-year recurrence free survival rate for A1, A2, B1, B2, was 84.9%, 85.7%, 50%, 57%, respectively. Group B2 had a significantly worse RFS than groups A1 (p=0.0004) and A2 (p=0.0014). Multivariate analysis for RFS indicated that only the mutational subgroup was a significant prognostic factor (p=0.03, HR=2.42).

Conclusions: C-kit mutations, including both 557 and 558, affected the RFS of GIST patients after curative surgery, but those including either 557 or 558 did not. Our results indicate that the locations of c-kit mutations are associated with PFS, and they may therefore affect the selection of candidates with GIST for adjuvant imatinib.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of oxaliplatin plus S-1 as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (G-SOX study)

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin combined with S-1 (SOX regimen) for unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Oxaliplatin was administered i.v. (100 mg/m(2)) on day 1, while S-1 was administered orally (80 mg/m(2)/day, b.i.d.) for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest. This schedule was repeated every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Among 55 patients enrolled, one patient received oxaliplatin for the other study, and three patients were considered unsuitable against the inclusion criteria. Accordingly, 51 patients were assessable for efficacy. The response rate was 59%, and the disease control rate was 84%. The median progression-free survival time was 6.5 months, the 1-year survival rate was 71%, and the median survival time was 16.5 months. In 54 patients assessed for safety, the major grade 3/4 toxic effects were neutropenia (22%), thrombocytopenia (13%), anemia (9%), anorexia (6%), fatigue (6%), and sensory neuropathy (4%).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that SOX regimen with oxaliplatin at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) is feasible and shows promising efficacy against advanced gastric cancer.

Phase II study of oxaliplatin combined with S-1 (SOX) as first-line therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC)

4553

Background: Oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 is one of the standard 1st-line chemotherapy for patients with AGC in Japan, and oxaliplatin is active against AGC in combination with fluoropyrimidine. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin in combination with S-1 in AGC. Methods: Eligibility criteria were: pathologically confirmed AGC, no prior chemotherapy, age > 20, measurable lesions, ECOG PS < 2, adequate organ function, written informed consent. Oxaliplatin was administered intravenously at a dose of 100 mg/m2 on day 1, and S-1 was administered orally twice daily on days 1–14 at a dose of 80 mg/m2/day, repeated every three weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response with RECIST guidelines. The sample size of 52 patients has an 80% power to demonstrate a 60% response rate (RR) with a one-sided type I error of 2.5%. Results: Between Apr. and Dec. 2007, 55 patients were enrolled at 8 centers in Japan. 51 patients were assessable for efficacy and 54 were assessable for safety. Patient characteristics: male/female = 34/17; median age 63 (range 30–77); PS 0–1/2 = 50/1; diffuse type/intestinal type = 35/16; metastatic/recurrent = 47/4. Median cycles 6.5 (range: 1–16). Thirty patients achieved in PR, and RR was 58.8% (95%CI: 44.2–72.4). Disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 84.3% (43/51; 95%CI: 71.4–93.0). One patient received subsequent curative surgery and achieved pCR. Median progression free survival was 6.5 months (95%CI: 4.8–11.3). Median time to treatment failure was 4.8 months (95%CI: 4.0–5.6). Grade 3–4 major adverse reactions were neutropenia (22.2%), thrombocytopenia (13.0%), leucopenia (3.7%), anorexia (5.6%), nausea (1.9%), and sensory neuropathy (3.7%). No treatment-related death was observed. Conclusions: The SOX regimen was well-tolerated and showed promising activity. This regimen may become one of the standard chemotherapy for ACG. One-year overall survival rate will be present at the meeting.

[Table: see text]

Updated result on the 2.5-year follow-up of GC0301/TOP-002: Randomized phase III study of irinotecan plus S-1 (IRI-S) versus S-1 alone as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (AGC)

4544

Background: IRI-S had longer in median survival time (MST) than S-1 alone, and was well tolerated in previously untreated AGC, but not statistically significant. Considering 68 patients (pts) were censored, further follow-up was needed to confirm the OS with more precision (Imamura et al. ASCO-GI 2008). We now present updated results of OS and exploratory analysis with the prolonged 2.5 year follow-up data. Methods: Treatments Arm A (oral S-1 80 mg/m2/day from Day 1 to 28, q6w), or Arm B (IRI-S; oral S-1 80 mg/m2/day from Day 1 to 21 and intravenous irinotecan 80 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 15, q5w) were continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities were observed. The primary endpoint was to compare OS between groups. This updated result was regarded as exploratory position. Results: Although the MST of Arm A was 319 days (95%Cl: 286–395) and of Arm B was 389 days (95%Cl: 324–459), Arm B didn’t show statistically significant superiority to Arm A (log-rank test p=0.54; hazard ratio (HR) =0.93). The 1-year survival was 45.0% in Arm A and 52.0% in Arm B, and the 2-year survival was 22.5% and 18.0%, respectively. Response rate was significantly different (Arm A/B, 26.9%/41.5%; chi-square test p=0.04) in 187 patient evaluated by RECIST criteria. Time to treatment failure was also favored in Arm B (median=138 days) compared to Arm A (111 days; log-rank test p=0.16; HR=0.85). In subset analyses, two groups showed possibility of clinical benefit in Arm B. The HR of diffuse type group was 0.71 (95%Cl: 0.52–0.96), and of PS1, 2 group was 0.63 (95%Cl: 0.42–0.95). As post protocol treatment, 45.6% of Arm A patients received an irinotecan-based regimen, and the MST of them was 496 days (95%Cl: 395–573). Conclusions: IRI-S did not show statistically significant superiority to S-1 alone in OS with this follow-up data. Post protocol treatment, effective treatment after S-1 failure might have affected survival. According to exploratory analyses, IRI-S may have clinical benefit in early-term of treatment, group of the diffuse type and that of PS1, 2. We need more considering predictive factors, because the gastric cancer is heterogeneous adenocarcinoma.

[Table: see text]

Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy using oral fluorinated pyrimidines for curatively resected gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of centrally randomized controlled clinical trials in Japan

Adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer has been extensively explored in Japan since the 1950s, and a combination of oral fluorinated pyrimidines (o-FP) and mitomycin C (MMC) has been mainly utilized for adjuvant chemotherapy. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the efficacy of adjuvant therapy. Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of o-FPs over surgery alone (control) by means of a meta-analysis of Japanese centrally randomized controlled clinical trials conducted between 1980 and 2005. For inclusion in this study, studies had to compare adjuvant chemotherapy for curatively resected gastric cancer with surgery alone, mainly targeting o-FP, and central randomization designed to comply with contemporary standards for clinical trials in Japan. For the 4 trials that met the eligibility criteria, the estimated hazard ratio was 0.73 (95%CI=0.60-0.89). Our findings show that in Japan adjuvant chemotherapy using o-FP for long-term maintenance therapy appears to be effective for gastric cancer patients after curative resection.

Follow up of a multicenter phase II study of sequential paclitaxel and S-1 (TXL/S1) as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer (GC)

15084

Background: Of patients who undergo R0 resection for GC with serosal invasion (T3–4), more than half recur mainly in the peritoneum, while TXL and S1 exhibited efficacy for diffuse type and peritoneal metastases in the phase II studies. Primary analysis of the sequential chemotherapy with TXL/S1 had shown its safety and tolerability, its survival benefit is being tested in a large phase III study (the SAMIT trial) with oral fluoropyrimidines as controls. The analysis for survival of this preceding phase II study is performed. Methods: Eligibility criteria included histologically proven GC; sT3–4; sN0–2; M0 (except peritoneal cytology: CY); post D2–3 gastrectomy and R0–1; ECOG PS 0–1; and 20–80 years old. On postoperative day 14 to 56, patients received 3 courses of weekly TXL (80mg/m2 on day 1, 8 for the 1st course and on day 1, 8, 15 for the 2nd and 3rd courses, repeated every 3 or 4 weeks) followed by 4 courses of S1 (80mg/m2 daily for 2 weeks, repeated every 3 weeks). The primary endpoints were % of patients who completed all 7 courses (compliance) to see whether the lower 95% confidence limit of compliance was greater than 69% and incidence of severe toxicities and the secondary endpoints were 3-year survival and toxicities. Results: 50 patients were accrued from May 2003 to March 2004. The median age was 63 (range 34–74); male/female: 34/16; pT2/T3/T4: 1/44/5; CY0/CY1: 4/46; f-stage2/3a/3b/4: 12/15/16/7. The overall compliance was 84%. Median follow up time was 1063 days for survivors (694–1332) and 1030 days for all. Three-year DFS were 64.6% for all, 66.1% for CY0 and 50.0% for CY1. Conclusions: Sequential TXL/S1 may serve as an active adjuvant for gastric cancer patients especially who are at high risk for peritoneal spread.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pharmacogenomic (PG) analysis for prediction of individual response to paclitaxel in 5-FU-refractory metastatic gastric cancer: Prediction formula of tumor response using novel marker genes and genotypes associated with the toxicity

2538

Background: Taxanes offer hope for improving outcomes of metastatic gastric cancer patients including 5-FU failure cases, but the response remarkably varies among patients. We conducted this prospective PG study for paclitaxel monotherapy to develop a prediction formula of efficacy and to identify potent genetic markers of toxicity. Methods: Paclitaxel was intravenously given on Days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks in 5-FU failure metastatic gastric cancer patients with typical eligibility criteria. Tumor and blood samples were collected before the initial paclitaxel administration for PG. PK analysis was done on day 1 of cycle 1. Tumor response and toxicity were evaluated by RECIST and CTCAE, respectively. Results: Forty-nine pts were enrolled, and up to date, 48 and 44 pts have been determined for worst toxicity and best tumor response, respectively. Observed response rate was 27.3% (12/44), and common grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (31.3%) and leucopenia (20.8%). PG analysis demonstrated that CYP2C8*1C (w/v=27, v/v=5) and CYP2C8 -411T>C (w/v=24, v/v=10) were weakly associated with grade 3/4 leucopenia (p=0.087 and 0.092), and CYP2C8 IVS7+49T> A (w/v=9, v/v=6) might correlate with grade 3/4 anemia (p=0.039), although none of them correlated with any PK parameter. We identified 4 novel potent marker genes (SEPT5, MARN2, PER3, and PISA3) for paclitaxel efficacy in vitro through microarray expression analysis, and then successfully developed the best linear models, which converted the quantified expression data into objective clinical response, in terms of best tumor response (r=0.985, AICS=-5.269) and overall survival (r=0.980, AICS=6.953), using 15 and 13 data sets of gene expression and clinical response, respectively. At present, utility-confirmation analyses using other clinical samples appeared to show that the formulae could accurately predict tumor response. Conclusions: Polygenetic strategies using several known polymorphisms for toxicity and a prediction formula using 4 novel genes for efficacy would be of predictive value for individual response to paclitaxel.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with tegafur/uracil (UFT) for gastric cancer. A meta-analysis of centrally randomized clinical trials

4033

Background: A consensus regarding standard adjuvant chemotherapy for curatively resected gastric cancer has not been obtained between Japan and Western world. In order to evaluate the effect of UFT which is the most frequently used in Japan over surgery alone control, a meta-analysis was performed investigating 4 clinical trials. Methods: After meticulous examination of each trial, trials with improper randomization using envelop method were excluded from the analysis. A total of 1503 patients, enrolled in four relevant trials (JCOG 8401, JCOG 8801, JCOG9206–2, and NSAS-GC) using UFT for chemotherapy and performed by central randomization, were determined eligible for the meta-analysis. The endpoint was overall survival and intent-to treat analysis was implemented. Results: The 5-year overall survival odds ratio was 0.70 (95%CI; 0.54–0.89). The treatment effect of oral UFT was shown to be statistically significant (p=0.01) over surgery alone therapy (n=1251). No significant heterogeneity between the trials was demonstrated (p=0.365). The 5-year overall survival odds ratio was 0.71(95%CI; 0.54–0.92). Conclusions: From these results of the present meta-analysis, it is strongly suggested that chemotherapy after surgery with UFT, can improve survival of the patients with curatively resected gastric cancer, and UFT should be considered as the standard postoperative adjuvant treatment for gastric cancer in Japan, where extensive gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection is implemented as a routine surgical procedure.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Significance of radical recurrent tumor resection for recurrent gastric cancer as assessed by prognosis]

To evaluate the relationship between radical surgery of recurrent tumor and prognosis in cases of recurrent gastric cancer, we analyzed data on 202 patients with relapsed gastric cancer, focusing on surgical recurrent tumor removal. In our series, 18 of the 202 patients underwent radical recurrent tumor resection. Resected tumors were located in the ovarium (n = 4), colorectum (n = 3), liver (n = 3), lymph node (n = 2), locoregional stoma (n = 2), and peritoneum, adrenal gland, brain, and lung (n = 1 each). No surgery-related mortality occurred. One patient remains alive over 5 years after hepatectomy without recurrence, and 17 died within 3 years: 7 patients from primary recurrence and 10 from multiple modes of recurrence. Median survival after recurrence (MSTAR) in the 18 radical surgery patients was 14 months, against 5 months in those treated palliatively (p = 0.0001). MSTAR for the ovary and the liver were 30 months and 15 months in the radical surgery cases, and 2.5 months for the ovary and 5 months for the liver in the palliative cases. Significant differences were thus seen between radical and palliative cases in the ovary (p = 0.010) and in the liver (p = 0.036). Median survival after gastrectomy was 45 months in the radical surgery cases, and 28 months in the palliative cases (p = 0.024). In postoperative gastric cancer follow-up, early detection of recurrence and radical surgery may well benefit patients with relapse, especially in the liver and ovary, in terms of survival.

Should scirrhous gastric carcinoma be treated surgically? Clinical experiences with 233 cases and a retrospective analysis of prognosticators

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The prognosis of patients with scirrhous gastric carcinoma has been poorest.

METHODOLOGY

To clarify the role of surgical treatment, 233 patients with a primary scirrhous gastric carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 233 patients, 182 underwent surgical resection, while the other 51 did not. The median survival time of those with unresectable tumors was 88.0 +/- 15.3 days and that of those who underwent resection was 380.0 +/- 41.8 days. In the 182 patients who underwent resection, multivariate analysis revealed four significant factors; lymphatic invasion, serosal invasion, curability, and lymph node dissection. Of these, curability was the most significant. The median survival time of patients whose tumor were curatively resected was 727.0 +/- 116.3 days, significantly longer than 272 +/- 34.9 days for those whose resection ended noncuratively. In 65 patients whose tumor was curatively resected, subset analyses of factors by multivariate analyses revealed an absence of serosal invasion as the single significant prognosticator. The 5-year survival rate was 55.6% in patients with scirrhous cancer without serosal invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with scirrhous gastric carcinoma, palliative resection should not be attempted for poor outcome. However, if curative resection seems feasible, radical surgery would be justified, especially for tumors without serosal exposure.

[Significance of laparoscopy for response assessment of chemotherapy in gastric cancer]

We performed laparoscopy before and after chemotherapy in two patients with relapsed and advanced gastric cancer, whose major metastatic sites had been diagnosed as being in the peritoneum. A change in tumor responses when assessed by laparoscopy was found. Case 1: A 63-year-old man presented with an umbilical metastasis and suspected peritoneal metastases after gastrectomy. Laparoscopy revealed peritoneal metastases before chemotherapy. After one course of chemotherapy the umbilical tumor disappeared (CR). Laparoscopy after two courses of chemotherapy revealed increasing peritoneal metastases (PD). The overall response was PD. Case 2: A 67-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of type 4 gastric cancer. Staging laparoscopy revealed massive lymph node metastases and the patient was positive in peritoneal washing cytology. After four courses of chemotherapy, the primary tumor and the metastatic lymph nodes had decreased in size (PR). In contrast, laparoscopy revealed increasing peritoneal metastases (PD). The overall response was PD.

CONCLUSION

In patients with peritoneal and other modes of metastasis, tumor response to chemotherapy may be misjudged by conventional imaging alone. Intraperitoneal examination by laparoscopy provides accurate information, including the tumor response to chemotherapy.

Intratumoral concentrations of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 in patients with gastric carcinoma a new biomartker for invasion and its impact on survival

BACKGROUND

Previously, the authors clarified that the plasma concentration of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in patients with gastric carcinoma was a significant predictor of tumor invasiveness and metastasis.

METHODS

To further clarify the clinical significance of TIMP-1, the authors used an enzyme-linked immunoassay to assess TIMP-1 protein concentrations in samples of tumor tissue from 86 patients who underwent primary resection for gastric carcinoma. Concentrations in samples of normal gastric mucosa from 73 of these patients also were assessed.

RESULTS

Tissue TIMP-1 concentrations were significantly greater in gastric tumors than in normal gastric mucosa and were associated significantly with a variety of pathologic factors, including macroscopic type, depth of tumor invasion in the gastric wall, presence of lymphatic vessel invasion, pattern of tumor infiltration into the surrounding tissue, and disease stage. Significantly greater TIMP-1 concentrations were found in tumors that were exposed to the serosal surface compared with tumors that were limited to the submucosal layer. TIMP-1 protein was significantly greater in tumors with lymphatic vessel invasion, an infiltrative pattern into the surrounding tissue (INF-gamma), and in tumors from patients with Stage III disease. Survival was significantly poorer in patients with TIMP-1 concentrations > or = 10.0 ng/mg total protein. When patients were stratified by disease stage, survival was significantly different in patients with Stage III disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that intratumoral concentrations of TIMP-1 were the most significant independent factor for survival.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the intratumoral concentration of TIMP-1 protein may be a good indicator of tumor aggressiveness and can serve as a significant independent predictor of survival in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Gastrectomized patients are in a state of chronic protein malnutrition analyses of 23 amino acids

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Malnutrition is one of the major postoperative complications of radical subtotal or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. This study was conducted to clarify the nutritional consequences of radical gastrectomy with respect to protein metabolism.

METHODOLOGY

To evaluate the nutritional status and the abnormalities in protein metabolism in such cases, serum concentrations of 23 amino acids were measured by high performance liquid chromatography in 40 patients who had undergone either subtotal (n = 20) or total (n = 20) gastrectomy more than 6 months prior to this analysis.

RESULTS

Serum concentrations of total amino acids and nonessential amino acids were the same between gastrectomized patients and healthy controls (n = 50). However, concentrations of essential amino acids, essential amino acid/nonessential amino acid and branched-chain amino acid/total amino acid ratios were significantly lower in patient groups than in normal controls. Each essential amino acid was decreased and concentrations of glutamate and citrulline were increased in both patient groups compared with controls. The major differences between patients with subtotal and total gastrectomies included an increased ornithine and a decreased arginine concentration in patients with subtotal gastrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

These changes suggest that malabsorption of protein from the intestinal tract causes persistent proteolysis in the skeletal muscle for long periods of time after surgery in these patients and that changes in ornithine and citrulline levels may reflect more severe alterations in those with total gastrectomy.

Is gastric carcinoma different between Japan and the United States?

BACKGROUND

Analyses of surgical results for gastric carcinoma often lead to the conclusion that gastric carcinoma occurring in Japan is different from that diagnosed in the U.S.

METHODS

To elucidate factors that might explain the differences in surgical results between the two countries, the authors compared data from a cancer center and a university hospital in Japan and a specialist cancer hospital in the U.S (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center [MSKCC]).

RESULTS

The mean age and body mass index were significantly greater in patients in the U.S. The N category appeared to be determined less accurately at MSKCC compared with the Japanese centers. The occurrence of early gastric carcinoma was not confined to Japanese patients because 20% of U.S. patients who underwent surgery were determined to have early stage disease. However, mucosal (in situ) carcinoma was detected rarely, and the proportion of advanced stage disease was greater in the U.S. Lesions in the upper gastric body, including the gastroesophageal junction, occurred in > 50% of cases at MSKCC but in only 20% of cases at the Japanese centers (P < 0.001). D2 lymph node dissection was possible with low morbidity and minimum mortality (31% and 3%, respectively, at MSKCC). The 5-year survival rates, stratified by tumor location and T category, revealed more similar results between Japan and the U.S. than had been reported previously. The marked difference between Japanese and American institutions only was observed for T1 and T2 tumors occurring in the lower gastric body and for T3 tumors occurring in the middle and upper third of the stomach.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of the current study, it would appear that the more favorable outcome noted for gastric carcinoma patients in Japan primarily is explained by the differences in tumor location, a greater frequency of early stage disease, and more accurate staging compared with gastric carcinoma patients in the U.S. Results of gastric carcinoma treatment comparable to those obtained in Japan can be obtained in Western centers.

Is gastric carcinoma different between Japan and the United States?

BACKGROUND

Analyses of surgical results for gastric carcinoma often lead to the conclusion that gastric carcinoma occurring in Japan is different from that diagnosed in the U.S.

METHODS

To elucidate factors that might explain the differences in surgical results between the two countries, the authors compared data from a cancer center and a university hospital in Japan and a specialist cancer hospital in the U.S (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center [MSKCC]).

RESULTS

The mean age and body mass index were significantly greater in patients in the U.S. The N category appeared to be determined less accurately at MSKCC compared with the Japanese centers. The occurrence of early gastric carcinoma was not confined to Japanese patients because 20% of U.S. patients who underwent surgery were determined to have early stage disease. However, mucosal (in situ) carcinoma was detected rarely, and the proportion of advanced stage disease was greater in the U.S. Lesions in the upper gastric body, including the gastroesophageal junction, occurred in > 50% of cases at MSKCC but in only 20% of cases at the Japanese centers (P < 0.001). D2 lymph node dissection was possible with low morbidity and minimum mortality (31% and 3%, respectively, at MSKCC). The 5-year survival rates, stratified by tumor location and T category, revealed more similar results between Japan and the U.S. than had been reported previously. The marked difference between Japanese and American institutions only was observed for T1 and T2 tumors occurring in the lower gastric body and for T3 tumors occurring in the middle and upper third of the stomach.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of the current study, it would appear that the more favorable outcome noted for gastric carcinoma patients in Japan primarily is explained by the differences in tumor location, a greater frequency of early stage disease, and more accurate staging compared with gastric carcinoma patients in the U.S. Results of gastric carcinoma treatment comparable to those obtained in Japan can be obtained in Western centers.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin in advanced gastric cancer--a case report

We report a case of advanced gastric carcinoma successfully treated with a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patient, a 78-year-old man, had type 2 gastric cancer, which had metastasized to the paraaortic lymph nodes. He was treated with irinotecan, 70 mg on day 1 and day 15, and cisplatin, 80 mg on day 1. The course was repeated every 4 weeks. Two courses of treatment resulted in a marked reduction of both the primary tumor and lymph nodes. Subsequently, the patient underwent curative surgery consisting of total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and D3 lymph node dissection. No surgical complications were observed. On microscopic examination, only a few tumor cells were detected in the granulation tissues of the resected stomach and in the lymph nodes. This would be the first case to demonstrate the effectiveness and the safety of irinotecan and cisplatin used in the neoadjuvant setting for treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma.

Suppression of facilitative glucose transporter 1 mRNA can suppress tumor growth

We attempted to suppress glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression by transfecting MKN45 cells with cDNA for antisense GLUT1. Glucose transport was significantly decreased in cells with antisense GLUT1 compared with wild-type cells or cells with vector alone. Suppression of GLUT1 mRNA resulted in a decreased number of cells in the S phase. This was accompanied by overexpression of p21 protein. Tumorigenicity in the nude mice injected with antisense GLUT1 expressing cells was significantly slower than in those with wild-type MKN45 cells. These results suggest that antisense GLUT1 mRNA inhibits tumor growth through a G(1) arrest and that expression of antisense GLUT1 mRNA via gene therapy can be used as a tool in the treatment of cancer.

Expression of facilitative glucose transporter 1 mRNA in colon cancer was not regulated by k-ras

The expression of facilitative glucose transporter isoforms in colon adenocarcinoma and the possible role of k-ras in inducing GLUT (glucose transporter) mRNA were studied. RT-PCR demonstrated GLUT2 and GLUT3 expression in 100% of the ten normal colon mucosa samples but detected no GLUT1 mRNA. By contrast, GLUT1 mRNA was detected in all 20 (100%) colon cancer samples examined. GLUT4 mRNA was not detected in either normal mucosa or colon cancer tissues. Semiquantitative PCR demonstrated equal amounts of GLUT2 and GLUT3 mRNA in both normal mucosa and colon cancer samples. A point mutation in codon 12 of k-ras was detected in only six of the 20 (30%) colon cancer samples. Thus, a major difference between normal colon epithelia and colon cancer was the acquisition of GLUT1 expression, which was unlikely to have been induced by a point mutation in codon 12 of k-ras.

Plasma concentrations of VEGF and bFGF in patients with gastric carcinoma

We examined plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in 54 patients with gastric carcinoma. Postoperative survival was significantly poorer in patients with plasma VEGF levels more than 10.0 pg/ml at the time of surgery. By an univariate analysis of the factors affecting survival, serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal dissemination, lymphatic vessel invasion, curability, and VEGF proteins were significant. By a multivariate analysis only VEGF levels and curability remained significant. Patients with recurrent disease, including liver metastasis, had significantly higher plasma VEGF concentrations than those with resectable primary tumors. VEGF, not bFGF, may serve as an independent prognosticator and a sensitive indicator for liver recurrence in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Prognostic value of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in plasma of patients with gastric cancer

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in plasma has been reported to be related to disease progression in patients with gastric cancer. However, the prognostic significance of plasma TIMP-1 concentrations has not been clarified. Concentrations of TIMP-1 protein were measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay in plasma samples of 147 preoperative patients who subsequently underwent gastric resection, and prognosis was compared. The cut-off value of plasma TIMP-1 concentrations was defined as 112.5 ng/ml, referring to the TIMP-1 levels in patients with intramucosal gastric cancer. Twenty-nine out of 147 patients had higher plasma TIMP-1 levels than the cut off value. When the patients were divided into those with elevated values and those with normal TIMP-1, such parameters as age, serosal invasion, metastases to lymph nodes, peritoneum, and liver, lymphatic invasion, curability, and stage were significantly different between the two. By univariate analysis of the factors affecting survival, macroscopic type, histology, serosal invasion, metastasis to lymph node, peritoneum, and liver, vessel invasions, curability, and plasma TIMP-1 were significant. However, multivariate analysis revealed that TIMP-1 was the only significant factor. In patients with gastric cancer, plasma TIMP-1 seem to be an independent and most powerful prognosticator for the survival.

Marked increase of trypsin(ogen) in serum of linitis plastica (gastric cancer, borrmann 4) patients

Linitis plastica, or Borrmann 4 gastric cancer, shows very poor prognosis, and the reason has not been understood. In the present study, we examined serum levels of trypsin(ogen) in 44 gastric cancer patients, including 17 early gastric cancer, 18 non-Borrmann 4 advanced gastric cancer, and 9 Borrmann 4 gastric cancer, by using the RIA gnost Trypsin kit (Hoechst Japan, Tokyo, Japan), which was expected to detect trypsin-1, trypsin-2, trypsinogen-1, and trypsinogen-2 in sera. The trypsin(ogen) concentration was much higher in the patients with linitis plastica than in the other gross types of gastric cancer. Hypertrypsinemia was identified in approximately 60% of advanced gastric cancer cases. Lymph node involvement, liver metastasis, or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma is an important factor of hypertrypsinemia. The serum trypsin(ogen) level in linitis plastica patients was 3484.4 +/- 2319.7 ng/ml (mean +/- SD), which was significantly higher not only than that of the early gastric cancer (384.1 +/- 92.1) but also the stage IV gastric cancer patients (578 +/- 440.4), excluding those with linitis plastica. The elevated serum trypsinogen level in linitis plastica patients may be related to the malignant behavior of this type of cancer cell. Serum trypsin(ogen) of linitis plastica shows significantly higher concentrations than do the other types of advanced gastric cancer. Therefore, serum concentration of trypsin(ogen) might be a good marker of gastric cancer of linitis plastica.

Angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, suppresses growth of peritoneal disseminating foci

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Angiogenesis is critical not only for growth of primary tumors but also for cells established at distant organs. We investigated the effects of angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, on the establishment and growth of intraperitoneally inoculated human gastric cancer cell line, MKN-45, and survival of nude mice with this tumor.

METHODOLOGY

Human gastric cancer cell line, MKN-45, were injected into the peritoneal cavity of an ICR nude mouse and a model of peritoneal dissemination was developed. TNP-470 was injected subcutaneously every other day from day 1 until sacrifice or death. The effects of TNP-470 on MKN-45 cells were also examined in vitro.

RESULTS

Although the number of disseminated foci was not significantly different, the maximum size was significantly smaller in a TNP-treated group than those of a control. Survival time was significantly longer in a TNP-treated group. TNP-470 demonstrated no growth inhibition of MKN45 cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Those results suggested that anti-angiogenic agent, TNP-470, might be effective in treating peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer by inhibiting growth of the seeded tumor cells on the peritoneum.

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in the plasma of patients with gastric carcinoma. A possible marker for serosal invasion and metastasis

BACKGROUND

Expression of the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in tumor tissue from patients with gastric carcinoma has been reported to be related to disease progression. However, to the authors' knowledge the clinical significance of plasma TIMP-1 concentrations in these patients has not been clarified.

METHODS

Concentrations of TIMP-1 protein were examined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay in plasma samples from 149 patients who underwent resection of their primary tumors and from 18 patients with nonresected or recurrent disease.

RESULTS

In the 149 patients whose primary tumors were resected, plasma TIMP-1 concentration was associated significantly with a variety of pathologic factors including macroscopic type, depth of invasion, lymph node and peritoneal metastases, vessel invasion, pattern of tumor infiltration into surround ing tissue, and disease stage. Plasma TIMP-1 concentration was significantly higher in patients with serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal dissemination, or liver metastasis than in those without these factors. Neither carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) nor CA 19-9 concentrations appeared to be related to these measures of disease progression. In the 18 patients with nonresected or recurrent disease, TIMP-1, CEA, and CA 19-9 were similarly sensitive in predicting peritoneal, liver, and lymph node metastases. The combination of these three factors was able to detect 73.3% of patients with peritoneal metastasis, 83.3% of patients with liver metastasis, and 88.9% of patients with disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with gastric carcinoma, plasma concentration of TIMP-1 appears to correlate with both serosal invasion and metastasis.

Insulin resistance and tissue glycogen content in the tumor-bearing state

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Insulin resistance in cancer patients may play an important role in post-operative outcomes.

METHODOLOGY

In an effort to understand the mechanism responsible, we measured glucose uptake by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp, glycogen content in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue by an enzymatic method, and facilitative glucose transporter mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in 10 patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Glucose uptake was also examined in 5 volunteers.

RESULTS

The M value was significantly smaller in cancer patients (6.11 +/- 2.49 mg/kg/min) than in controls (8.55 +/- 0.91 mg/kg/min). A significant decrease in glucose storage was also observed in cancer patients compared with that of controls, 3.18 +/- 2.46 and 4.95 +/- 0.55 mg/kg/min, respectively. The glycogen content of skeletal muscle from cancer patients averaged 12.1 +/- 2.7 micrograms/mg tissue and was correlated with the M value (r = 0.75, p < 0.05). Muscle glycogen had an even stronger correlation to glucose storage (r = 0.964, p < 0.05). The glycogen content of liver averaged 105.4 +/- 79.0 micrograms/mg tissue but was not related to the M value. Glycogen in adipose tissue was not measurable by this method. Muscle and liver samples were positive for periodic and Schiff (PAS) stain, while the stain in adipose tissue was very weak. Glucose transporter 4 mRNA was the dominant facilitative glucose transporter in skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and insulin resistance have decreased glycogen storage in skeletal muscle. These may be the patients who are in need of pre-operative nutritional support.

High incidence of synchronous cancer of the oral cavity and the upper gastrointestinal tract

A high incidence of synchronous esophageal or gastric carcinoma in preoperative patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity was reported. Esophageal carcinoma was found in seven out of 56 patients (12.5%) and gastric cancer in five patients (8.9%) by videoendoscopy aided with lugol staining in the esophagus and indigocarmine solution in the stomach, although all patients were completely asymptomatic for these lesions. All patients were male, regular drinkers and heavy smokers. The depth of invasion of such tumors was limited to either mucosa or submucosa. Those esophageal and gastric lesions beside the primary oral cancers were positive for p53 protein by immunohistochemistry. Careful preoperative evaluation of not only the esophagus but also the stomach should be a routine procedure in patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity.