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Journal of Gastroenterology Sep 2023Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, and developing an efficient and reliable approach for its early-stage diagnosis... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, and developing an efficient and reliable approach for its early-stage diagnosis is urgently needed. Precancerous lesions of PDAC, such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), arise through multiple steps of driver gene alterations in KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, or GNAS. Hallmark mutations play a role in tumor initiation and progression, and their detection in bodily fluids is crucial for diagnosis. Recently, liquid biopsy has gained attention as an approach to complement pathological diagnosis, and in addition to mutation signatures in cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, and extracellular vesicles have been investigated as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. Integrating such molecular information to revise the diagnostic criteria for pancreatic cancer can enable a better understanding of the pathogenesis underlying inter-patient heterogeneity, such as sensitivity to chemotherapy and disease outcomes. This review discusses the current diagnostic approaches and clinical applications of genetic analysis in pancreatic cancer and diagnostic attempts by liquid biopsy and molecular analyses using pancreatic juice, duodenal fluid, and blood samples. Emerging knowledge in the rapidly advancing liquid biopsy field is promising for molecular profiling and diagnosing pancreatic diseases with significant diversity.
Topics: Humans; Pathology, Molecular; Early Detection of Cancer; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Mutation; Liquid Biopsy
PubMed: 37470859
DOI: 10.1007/s00535-023-02024-4 -
Cancer Discovery Jan 2024Nutritional factors play crucial roles in immune responses. The tumor-caused nutritional deficiencies are known to affect antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrate that...
UNLABELLED
Nutritional factors play crucial roles in immune responses. The tumor-caused nutritional deficiencies are known to affect antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrate that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells can suppress NK-cell cytotoxicity by restricting the accessibility of vitamin B6 (VB6). PDAC cells actively consume VB6 to support one-carbon metabolism, and thus tumor cell growth, causing VB6 deprivation in the tumor microenvironment. In comparison, NK cells require VB6 for intracellular glycogen breakdown, which serves as a critical energy source for NK-cell activation. VB6 supplementation in combination with one-carbon metabolism blockage effectively diminishes tumor burden in vivo. Our results expand the understanding of the critical role of micronutrients in regulating cancer progression and antitumor immunity, and open new avenues for developing novel therapeutic strategies against PDAC.
SIGNIFICANCE
The nutrient competition among the different tumor microenvironment components drives tumor growth, immune tolerance, and therapeutic resistance. PDAC cells demand a high amount of VB6, thus competitively causing NK-cell dysfunction. Supplying VB6 with blocking VB6-dependent one-carbon metabolism amplifies the NK-cell antitumor immunity and inhibits tumor growth in PDAC models. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 5.
Topics: Humans; Vitamin B 6; Tumor Microenvironment; Killer Cells, Natural; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Carbon
PubMed: 37931287
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-23-0334 -
JAMA Network Open Aug 2023Accurate risk prediction models using routinely measured biomarkers-eg, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and bilirubin serum levels-for pancreatic cancer could...
IMPORTANCE
Accurate risk prediction models using routinely measured biomarkers-eg, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and bilirubin serum levels-for pancreatic cancer could facilitate early detection of pancreatic cancer and prevent potentially unnecessary diagnostic tests for patients at low risk. An externally validated model using CA19-9 and bilirubin serum levels in a larger cohort of patients with pancreatic cancer or benign periampullary diseases is needed.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of a prediction model using readily available blood biomarkers (carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [CA19-9] and bilirubin) to distinguish early-stage pancreatic cancer from benign periampullary diseases.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This diagnostic study used data from 4 academic hospitals in Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK on adult patients with pancreatic cancer or benign periampullary disease treated from 2014 to 2022. Analyses were conducted from September 2022 to February 2023.
EXPOSURES
Serum levels of CA19-9 and bilirubin from samples collected at diagnosis and before start of any medical intervention.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Discrimination (measured by the area under the curve [AUC]), calibration, and clinical utility of the prediction model and the biomarkers, separately.
RESULTS
The study sample comprised 249 patients in the development cohort (mean [SD] age at diagnosis, 67 [11] years; 112 [45%] female individuals), and 296 patients in the validation cohort (mean [SD] age at diagnosis, 68 [12] years; 157 [53%] female individuals). At external validation, the prediction model showed an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.84-0.93) for early-stage pancreatic cancer vs benign periampullary diseases, and outperformed CA19-9 (difference in AUC [ΔAUC], 0.10; 95% CI, 0.06-0.14; P < .001) and bilirubin (∆AUC, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.12; P = .004). In the subset of patients without elevated tumor marker levels (CA19-9 <37 U/mL), the model showed an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.77-0.92). At a risk threshold of 30%, decision curve analysis indicated that performing biopsies based on the prediction model was equivalent to reducing the biopsy procedure rate by 6% (95% CI, 1%-11%), without missing early-stage pancreatic cancer in patients.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this diagnostic study of patients with pancreatic cancer or benign periampullary diseases, an easily applicable risk score showed high accuracy for distinguishing early-stage pancreatic cancer from benign periampullary diseases. This model could be used to assess the added diagnostic and clinical value of novel biomarkers and prevent potentially unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures for patients at low risk.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Child; Male; CA-19-9 Antigen; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Bilirubin; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 37639271
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.31197 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Feb 2024Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is an autoimmune subtype of chronic pancreatitis resulting from the aberrant immune response against the pancreas, leading to inflammation... (Review)
Review
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is an autoimmune subtype of chronic pancreatitis resulting from the aberrant immune response against the pancreas, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Although AIP is rare, its incidence is increasing and is often misdiagnosed as other pancreatic diseases. AIP is commonly classified into two types. Type 1 AIP (AIP-1) is typically associated with elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels and systemic manifestations, while type 2 AIP is typically a more localized form of the disease, and may coexist with other autoimmune disorders, especially inflammatory bowel diseases. Additionally, there is emerging recognition of a third type (type 3 AIP), which refers to immunotherapy-triggered AIP, although this classification is still gaining acceptance in medical literature. The clinical manifestations of AIP mainly include painless jaundice and weight loss. Elevated serum IgG4 levels are particularly characteristic of AIP-1. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histological findings, given the similarity of AIP symptoms to other pancreatic disorders. The mainstay of treatment for AIP is steroid therapy, which is effective in most cases. Severe cases might require additional imm-unosuppressive agents. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of AIP, encompassing its epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options. We also address the challenges and controversies in diagnosing and treating AIP, such as distinguishing it from pancreatic cancer and managing long-term treatment, highlighting the need for increased awareness and knowledge of this complex disease.
Topics: Humans; Autoimmune Pancreatitis; Autoimmune Diseases; Immunoglobulin G; Diagnosis, Differential; Pancreas
PubMed: 38516247
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i8.817 -
Neuroscience Bulletin Nov 2023Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive growth, and therapy resistance, leading to... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive growth, and therapy resistance, leading to a poor overall prognosis. Emerging evidence shows that the peripheral nerve is an important non-tumor component in the tumor microenvironment that regulates tumor growth and immune escape. The crosstalk between the neuronal system and PDAC has become a hot research topic that may provide novel mechanisms underlying tumor progression and further uncover promising therapeutic targets. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms of perineural invasion and the role of various types of tumor innervation in the progression of PDAC, summarize the potential signaling pathways modulating the neuronal-cancer interaction, and discuss the current and future therapeutic possibilities for this condition.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Signal Transduction; Peripheral Nerves; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37347365
DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01082-1 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... May 2024Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain and can range from mild oedema to severe necrosis of the pancreas. It has a significant impact on morbidity,... (Review)
Review
Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain and can range from mild oedema to severe necrosis of the pancreas. It has a significant impact on morbidity, mortality and financial burden. The global prevalence of pancreatitis is substantial, with the highest rates observed in central and eastern Europe. Diagnosing acute pancreatitis involves considering clinical symptoms, elevated serum amylase and/or lipase levels, and characteristic imaging findings. The causes of acute pancreatitis include obstructive disorders, such as gallstones and biliary sludge, alcohol consumption, smoking, drug-induced pancreatitis, metabolic disorders, trauma, medical procedures, infections, vascular diseases and autoimmune pancreatitis. Appropriate management of acute pancreatitis involves determining the severity of the condition, providing supportive care, addressing the underlying cause, and preventing complications. Advances in classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis and implementing goal-directed therapy have contributed to a decrease in mortality rates. Understanding its prevalence, aetiology and management principles is crucial for clinicians to appropriately diagnose and manage patients with acute pancreatitis.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatitis; Acute Disease; Severity of Illness Index; Gallstones
PubMed: 38783446
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.9280 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023In the oncological area, pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal diseases, with 5-year survival rising just 10% in high-development countries. This disease is...
In the oncological area, pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal diseases, with 5-year survival rising just 10% in high-development countries. This disease is genetically characterized by as a driven mutation followed by , , and -associated mutations. In clinical aspects, pancreatic cancer presents unspecific clinical symptoms with the absence of screening and early plasmatic biomarker, being that CA19-9 is the unique plasmatic biomarker having specificity and sensitivity limitations. We analyzed the plasmatic exosome proteomic profile of 23 patients with pancreatic cancer and 10 healthy controls by using Nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (NanoLC-MS/MS). The pancreatic cancer patients were subdivided into IPMN and PDAC. Our findings show 33, 34, and 7 differentially expressed proteins when comparing the IPMN vs. control, PDAC-No treatment vs. control, and PDAC-No treatment vs. IPMN groups, highlighting proteins of the complement system and coagulation, such as C3, APOB, and SERPINA. Additionally, PDAC with no treatment showed 11 differentially expressed proteins when compared to Folfirinox neoadjuvant therapy or Gemcitabine adjuvant therapy. So here, we found plasmatic exosome-derived differentially expressed proteins among cancer patients (IPMN, PDAC) when comparing with healthy controls, which could represent alternative biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation, supporting further scientific and clinical studies on pancreatic cancer.
Topics: Humans; Early Detection of Cancer; Prognosis; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Exosomes; Pancreatic Intraductal Neoplasms; Proteomics; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; CA-19-9 Antigen
PubMed: 37628784
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612604 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2023Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are pancreatic neoplasms with neuroendocrine features, divided into functioning and non-functioning. The non-functioning PNETs... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIM
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are pancreatic neoplasms with neuroendocrine features, divided into functioning and non-functioning. The non-functioning PNETs are the largest group, and their morbidity is the result of their potential to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize. The functioning PNETs produce hormonal symptoms due to over-secretion of specific hormones. They constitute 1% to 2% of all pancreatic tumors. The use of novel imaging methods has rendered their detection more frequent. Insulinoma, the most common functioning PNET, comprises 35-40% of all functioning PNETs. Its clinical presentation is due to hyperinsulinemia and the subsequent hypoglycemia. Glucagonoma accounts for 5% of all PNETs and is the fourth most frequent functioning PNET, following insulinoma, gastrinoma, and vipoma. Its symptoms are due to the massive secretion of glucagon and ensuing hyperglycemia. The co-existence of two PNETs is a very rare entity. This report aimed to describe cases of concomitant insulinomas and glucagonomas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A review of the literature was performed using the PubMed database and Cochrane library aiming to identify reported cases of concomitant pancreatic insulinoma and glucagonoma. Specifically, the research was conducted using the keywords, separately and in various combination, including insulinoma, glucagonoma, cystic, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and hypoglycemia. Only publications in English were included in the present study.
RESULTS
A total of 8 cases of concomitant pancreatic insulinoma and glucagonoma were identified, corresponding to the period 1992-2021.
CONCLUSION
Concomitant insulinoma and glucagonoma are rare and challenging. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Topics: Humans; Insulinoma; Glucagonoma; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Hypoglycemia; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive
PubMed: 37905620
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13345 -
JAMA Network Open Oct 2023Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are pancreatic cysts that can give rise to pancreatic cancer (PC). Limited population data exist on their prevalence,...
IMPORTANCE
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are pancreatic cysts that can give rise to pancreatic cancer (PC). Limited population data exist on their prevalence, natural history, or risk of malignant transformation (IPMN-PC).
OBJECTIVE
To fill knowledge gaps in epidemiology of IPMNs and associated PC risk by estimating population prevalence of IPMNs, associated PC risk, and proportion of IPMN-PC.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), patients aged 50 years and older with abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans between 2000 and 2015 were randomly selected (CT cohort). All patients from the REP with PC between 2000 and 2019 were also selected (PC cohort). Data were analyzed from November 2021 through August 2023.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
CIs for PC incidence estimates were calculated using exact methods with the Poisson distribution. Cox models were used to estimate age, sex, and stage-adjusted hazard ratios for time-to-event end points.
RESULTS
The CT cohort included 2114 patients (1140 females [53.9%]; mean [SD] age, 68.6 [12.1] years). IPMNs were identified in 231 patients (10.9%; 95% CI, 9.7%-12.3%), most of which were branch duct (210 branch-duct [90.9%], 16 main-duct [6.9%], and 5 mixed [2.2%] IPMNs). There were 5 Fukuoka high-risk (F-HR) IPMNs (2.2%), 39 worrisome (F-W) IPMNs (16.9%), and 187 negative (F-N) IPMNs (81.0%). After a median (IQR) follow-up of 12.0 (8.1-15.3) years, 4 patients developed PC (2 patients in F-HR and 2 patients in F-N groups). The PC incidence rate per 100 person years for F-HR IPMNs was 34.06 incidents (95% CI, 4.12-123.02 incidents) and not significantly different for patients with F-N IPMNs compared with patients without IPMNs (0.16 patients; 95% CI, 0.02-0.57 patients vs 0.11 patients; 95% CI, 0.06-0.17 patients; P = .62). The PC cohort included 320 patients (155 females [48.4%]; mean [SD] age, 72.0 [12.3] years), and 9.8% (95% CI, 7.0%-13.7%) had IPMN-PC. Compared with 284 patients with non-IPMN PC, 31 patients with IPMN-PC were older (mean [SD] age, 76.9 [9.2] vs 71.3 [12.5] years; P = .02) and more likely to undergo surgical resection (14 patients [45.2%] vs 60 patients [21.1%]; P = .003) and more-frequently had nonmetastatic PC at diagnosis (20 patients [64.5%] vs 130 patients [46.8%]; P = .047). Patients with IPMN-PC had better survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.94; P = .03) than patients with non-IPMN PC.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this study, CTs identified IPMNs in approximately 10% of patients aged 50 years or older. PC risk in patients with F-N IPMNs was low and not different compared with patients without IPMNs; approximately 10% of patients with PC had IPMN-PC, and they had better survival compared with patients with non-IPMN PC.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Pancreatic Intraductal Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous
PubMed: 37847503
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37799 -
Gastroenterology Sep 2023The in-hospital survival of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis (AP) is 95% to 98%. However, there is growing evidence that patients discharged after AP may be at...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
The in-hospital survival of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis (AP) is 95% to 98%. However, there is growing evidence that patients discharged after AP may be at risk of serious morbidity and mortality. Here, we aimed to investigate the risk, causes, and predictors of the most severe consequence of the post-AP period: mortality.
METHODS
A total of 2613 well-characterized patients from 25 centers were included and followed by the Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group between 2012 and 2021. A general and a hospital-based population was used as the control group.
RESULTS
After an AP episode, patients have an approximately threefold higher incidence rate of mortality than the general population (0.0404 vs 0.0130 person-years). First-year mortality after discharge was almost double than in-hospital mortality (5.5% vs 3.5%), with 3.0% occurring in the first 90-day period. Age, comorbidities, and severity were the most significant independent risk factors for death following AP. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified creatinine, glucose, and pleural fluid on admission as independent risk factors associated with post-discharge mortality. In the first 90-day period, cardiac failure and AP-related sepsis were among the main causes of death following discharge, and cancer-related cachexia and non-AP-related infection were the key causes in the later phase.
CONCLUSION
Almost as many patients in our cohort died in the first 90-day period after discharge as during their hospital stay. Evaluation of cardiovascular status, follow-up of local complications, and cachexia-preventing oncological care should be an essential part of post-AP patient care. Future study protocols in AP must include at least a 90-day follow-up period after discharge.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatitis; Patient Discharge; Acute Disease; Aftercare; Cachexia; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37247642
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.05.028