PD-L1 Expression in Ampullary Adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm often treated by the complex Whipple's procedure. Several histological factors predict poor prognosis including pancreatobiliary morphology, presence of lymphovascular, perineural invasion and local or distant metastasis. Systemic therapy with gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil regimens are given with variable benefits. Immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors have shown beneficial anti-tumor effects in several carcinomas, the most remarkable being in non-small cell lung cancer. Administration of these novel drugs is based on immunohistochemical expression (which may or may not be indicative of response to therapy) along with meticulous decision making by the multidisciplinary team. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an effective means of immune marker demonstration and has been used in various tumor types for predictive and prognostic purposes.

METHODS

PD-L1 IHC (clone E1L3N) was applied in 101 cases of ampullary adenocarcinoma. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were also evaluated. The immunoreactivity was assessed and categorized into following staining thresholds: <1%, <5%, <10% and ≥10% for tumor cells (membranous and/or cytoplasmic staining pattern), and 5% and 10% cut-offs for immune cells.

RESULTS

We found that at a 10% cut-off, 73.3% (74/101) patients were men (P  =  .006) older than 50 years of age (P < .001) presenting with a tumor measuring <3 cm (P  =  .001). It was significantly associated with intestinal differentiation (P  =  .004) and grade 1 tumors (P  =  .001). Twelve patients presented with recurrence as well (P  =  .03).

CONCLUSION

In the context of ampullary adenocarcinoma, this study highlights the positivity observed with the PD-L1 IHC clone E1L3N at different thresholds, with the particularly stronger associations being evident at a 10% cut-off.

Ampullary Adenocarcinoma: A Review of the Mutational Landscape and Implications for Treatment

Ampullary carcinomas represent less than 1% of all gastrointestinal malignancies with an incidence of approximately 6 cases per 1 million. Histologic examination and immunohistochemistry have been traditionally used to categorize ampullary tumors into intestinal, pancreatobiliary or mixed subtypes. Intestinal-subtype tumors may exhibit improved survival versus the pancreatobiliary subtype, although studies on the prognostic value of immunomorphologic classification have been inconsistent. Genomic classifiers hold the promise of greater reliability, while providing potential targets for precision oncology. Multi-institutional collaboration will be necessary to better understand how molecular classification can guide type and sequencing of multimodality therapy.

Predictive factor of recurrence after endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary neoplasms

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Recurrence of ampullary neoplasms after endoscopic papillectomy (EP) has not been well elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the predictive factors for recurrences after EP. We also aimed to investigate the retreatment of the recurrent lesions and their outcomes.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 96 patients with ampullary neoplasms who underwent EP at four tertiary centers between January 2000 and October 2018.

RESULTS

The pathological diagnoses of resected specimens confirmed adenoma in 62 and adenocarcinoma in 34 patients (six Tis, 24 T1a, three T1b, one inconclusive). Complete resection was confirmed for 79 patients (82.3%). Recurrent lesions were observed in 13 patients (13.5%) during a median follow-up of 3 months (1-36 months) after EP. The predictive factors of recurrence were piecemeal resection, and non-negative horizontal or vertical margin in univariate analysis. Non-negative vertical margin was the only independent predictive factor of recurrence in the multivariate analysis. The recurrent lesions were treated endoscopically in 11 patients. Recurrence after the endoscopic retreatments was observed in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete resection with negative vertical margin is an important factor in preventing the recurrence of ampullary neoplasms after EP. Endoscopic retreatments are also feasible for recurrent lesions.

Circulating Cell-Free DNA as a Prognostic Biomarker in Resectable Ampullary Cancer

Simple Summary

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with ampullary cancer was measured to clarify the correlation between cfDNA and clinicopathological factors and the impact of cfDNA on survival outcomes. The level of cfDNA was significantly higher in patients with lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, abnormal serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, and stage II and III cancer. The 1- and 5-year survival rates were 92.0% and 66.5%, respectively, for patients with low cfDNA levels ≤ 6687 copies/mL as compared with 84.0% and 49.9%, respectively, for patients with high cfDNA levels > 6687 copies/mL (p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, only the cfDNA level and cancer stage were independent factors in determining the prognosis of the ampullary cancer. The cfDNA level could act as a surrogate marker of both disease extent and biological aggressiveness of ampullary cancer. Moreover, cfDNA plays a significant role in determining the prognosis of resectable ampullary cancer.

Abstract

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in ampullary cancer patients was measured to clarify the correlation between cfDNA and clinicopathological factors and the impact of cfDNA on survival outcomes. Patients with ampullary cancer undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were included. Correlations between cfDNA and clinicopathological and prognostic factors were determined. The cfDNA levels in patients ranged from 1282 to 21,674 copies/mL, with a median of 6687 copies/mL. The cfDNA level was significantly higher in patients with lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, abnormal serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, and stage II and III cancer. Poor prognostic factors for ampullary cancer included high cfDNA > 6687 copies/mL, lymph node involvement, abnormal serum CEA > 5 ng/mL, and advanced stage II and III cancer. The 1- and 5-year survival rates were 92.0% and 66.5%, respectively, for patients with low cfDNA < 6687 copies/mL and 84.0% and 49.9%, respectively, for patients with high cfDNA > 6687 copies/mL (p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, only the cfDNA level and stage were independent prognostic factors of ampullary cancer. Thus, the cfDNA level could act as a surrogate marker of both disease extent and biological aggressiveness of ampullary cancer. Moreover, cfDNA plays a significant role in the prognosis of resectable ampullary cancer.

Signet ring cell cancer of Ampulla of Vater-first ever case reported in a teenager and a review of literature

Ampullary cancers are rare accounting for 0.2% of all gastrointestinal cancers. Signet ring is a rare variant of adenocarcinoma, characterized by having more than 50% of mucin secreting cells and clinically having a worse prognosis. We present the case of a teenage girl with this tumor, the youngest ever reported in medical literature. An 18 years old girl with no significant past medical history presented to our clinic with symptoms of upper abdominal pain and jaundice. Her upper GI endoscopy showed an ampullary lesion which was biopsied—diagnosing it as adenocarcinoma. She underwent a pancreato-duodenectomy (Whipple’s procedure) with Child’s reconstruction and a feeding jejunostomy. Her final histopathology report was documented as infiltrating adenocarcinoma of Signet Ring variety arising from the Ampulla of Vater. Being such a rare entity, there is a lack of randomized trials advising the optimum treatment for such cases. Till then anecdotal experiences will drive the optimum management of this rare disease.

Cytologic features of pancreatobiliary neoplasm of duodenum

Small intestinal adenomas are uncommon. Majority of these occur in the region of the ampulla of Vater. Adenomas of the ampulla can be further subdivided into two types-intestinal and pancreatobiliary. While intestinal adenomas are more frequent, pancreatobiliary adenomas are rare. There is limited literature regarding the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of ampullary/peri-ampullary neoplasms. Here, we describe the cytologic features of a pancreatobiliary neoplasm of the duodenum that was sampled by EUS-FNA. The aspirate was cellular and revealed cells with moderately abundant oncocytic cytoplasm. The nuclei were round with fine chromatin and focally prominent nucleoli. Although the concurrent biopsy showed no high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma, the EUS and imaging findings were highly suspicious for invasion. A broad differential diagnosis is under consideration for a duodenal mass that encompasses neoplasms of the biliary tract, pancreas, duodenum, and ampulla of Vater. To our knowledge, cytologic features of a pancreatobiliary neoplasm of the duodenum have not been previously reported. Our case highlights the features seen on cytology with histologic correlation in the hopes of elucidating features to better characterize these lesions.

Durable response for ampullary and duodenal adenocarcinoma with a nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine ± cisplatin combination

Background/Aim

There is no standard salvage chemotherapy for metastatic periampullary adenocarcinoma and duodenal adenocarcinoma and the prognosis of those who fail oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and 5FU is dismal. We examined nanoparticle albumin‐bound paclitaxel (nab‐paclitaxel) as salvage therapy for these two malignancies.

Methods

Patients who failed oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and 5FU and whose archival tumors stained immunohistochemical (IHC) tumor positive for CK7 or MUC1 received nab‐paclitaxel and gemcitabine therapy with or without cisplatin.

Results

Three patients, 2 with metastatic ampullary adenocarcinoma and 1 with duodenal adenocarcinoma with positive IHC staining for CK7 or MUC1 who failed 2 lines of chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and 5FU received nab‐paclitaxel and gemcitabine with or without cisplatin. All achieved excellent tumor response on CT scans with marked falls in tumor markers CA19‐9 and CEA as well as ≥1 year of progression‐free survival. All 3 have continued to survive 2‐3 years since diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

Nab‐paclitaxel plus gemcitabine with or without cisplatin should be investigated as a standard‐of‐care chemotherapy regimen for patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma and duodenal adenocarcinoma.

Incidence and comparative outcomes of periampullary cancer: A population-based analysis demonstrating improved outcomes and increased use of adjuvant therapy from 2004 to 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Periampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC) is stratified anatomically: ampullary adenocarcinoma (AA), distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC), duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We aimed to determine differences in incidence, prognosis, and treatment in stage-matched PAC patients in a longitudinal study.

METHODS

PAC patients were identified in The National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2012. Clinicopathological variables were compared between subtypes. Covariate-adjusted treatment use and OS were compared.

RESULTS

The 116 705 patients with PAC were identified: 1320 (9%) AA, 3732 (3%) DCC, 7142 (6%) DA, and 95 511 (82%) PDAC. DA, DCC, and PDAC were associated with worse survival compared with AA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.1-1.1; HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.4-1.6, and HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.8-1.9). Among resected patients, DA was associated with improved survival compared with AA (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.67-0.75); DCC and PDAC were associated with worse survival (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.31-1.53 and HR, 2.041; 95% CI, 1.07-2.12). Resected AA, PDAC, and DA, but not DCC, demonstrated significantly improved survival over the studied period. While all patients had increased adjuvant therapy (AT) receipt over time (P < 0.001), only patients with PDAC had increased neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) receipt ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Resected PDAC, AA, and DA were associated with clinically significant improved survival over time, mirroring a concurrent associated increased receipt of AT.

Ampullary cancer: Evaluation of somatic and germline genetic alterations and association with clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Ampullary carcinoma (AC) is a rare gastrointestinal cancer. Pathogenic germline alterations (PGAs) in BRCA2 and potentially targetable somatic alterations (SAs) in ERBB2 and ELF3 have been previously described in AC. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has implemented an opt-in strategy for germline testing (GT) and somatic testing (ST) for patients with AC to further evaluate the spectrum of PGAs and SAs.

METHODS

Forty-five patients with pathologically confirmed AC prospectively consented with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets (MSK-IMPACT) test (410-468 genes). A subset of the cohort (23 of the 45 patients) also consented to GT with MSK-IMPACT (76-88 genes). Germline data for 21 of the remaining 22 patients who had not consented to GT were obtained in a de-identified fashion without clinical correlation. Clinicopathologic features, treatment histories, and survival data for consenting patients were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Pancreaticobiliary, intestinal, and mixed features of the 2 types were the primary pathologic subtypes of AC identified in this cohort. No difference in median overall survival was found between pathologic subtypes. Eight of 44 patients (18%) were identified as harboring pathogenic mutations in BRCA2, ATM, RAD50, and MUTYH. In addition, this study found a wide spectrum of SAs in genes such as KRAS, MDM2, ERBB2, ELF3, and PIK3CA. Two patients in the cohort underwent SA-targeted therapy, and 1 had a partial radiographic response.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in multiple somatic and germline genes were identified in this cohort. Significantly, actionable targets were identified in the tumors, and broader testing for PGAs and SAs should be considered for all patients with AC.

HER-2-Positive Ampullary Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Background: Ampullary adenocarcinomas are a rare subset of periampullary tumors with an overall poor prognosis. Treatment decisions are generally extrapolated from pancreatic chemotherapy protocols and consist mainly of traditional chemotherapy drugs. There are no known targets for therapeutic intervention in ampullary adenocarcinoma at this time. Next generation sequencing and other novel molecular profiling of tumors, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), have recently made it possible to better understand tumor biology and elucidate driver mutations which are amenable to targeted therapy. This case describes the use of novel DNA sequencing technology to provide a targeted treatment option, HER-2 inhibition, in a patient with HER-2 overexpressing ampullary adenocarcinoma. This is the first time this has been described in the literature.

Case presentation: The patient is a 63-year-old Caucasian man who initially presented with symptoms of obstructive jaundice and was found to have a periampullary tumor. He underwent resection of his tumor and pathology confirmed a stage IIB ampullary adenocarcinoma. He unfortunately developed a recurrence in the liver and lung two years later. Next generation sequencing of his tumor at the time of resection as well as ctDNA analysis demonstrated a HER-2 overexpressing tumor. Following first line therapy with FOLFOX he had progression and was treated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab with stabilization of his disease prior to his ultimate demise from multifocal pneumonia.

Conclusion: The use of next generation sequencing as well as ctDNA technology generated a novel therapeutic intervention in our patient. As these techniques become more widespread, it is likely more targeted therapies will be used in these difficult to treat diseases.

The evolution and development of vertebrate lateral line electroreceptors

Electroreception is an ancient vertebrate sense with a fascinating evolutionary history involving multiple losses as well as independent evolution at least twice within teleosts. We review the phylogenetic distribution of electroreception and the morphology and innervation of electroreceptors in different vertebrate groups. We summarise recent work from our laboratory that has confirmed the homology of ampullary electroreceptors in non-teleost jawed vertebrates by showing, in conjunction with previously published work, that these are derived embryonically from lateral line placodes. Finally, we review hypotheses to explain the distribution of electroreception within teleosts, including the hypothesis that teleost ampullary and tuberous electroreceptors evolved via the modification of mechanosensory hair cells in lateral line neuromasts. We conclude that further experimental work on teleost electroreceptor development is needed to test such hypotheses.

Organization of care for pancreatic cancer

THE ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE AT THE CLINICAL PANCREATIC DISORDER I: Acute pancreatitis. North Am J Med Sci 2011; 3: 316-319. doi: 10.4297/najms.2011.3316.