A prospective comparison of the prognostic value of tumor- and patient-related factors in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Outcome prediction after resection with curative intent for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains a challenge. There is increasing evidence that the presence of an ongoing systemic inflammatory response is associated with poor outcome in patients undergoing resection for a variety of common solid tumors. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the prognostic value of tumor- and patient-related factors including the systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of pancreas. METHODS: The prognostic impact of tumor factors such as stage and host factors, including the systemic inflammatory response (modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [mGPS]), were evaluated in a prospective study of 135 patients who underwent elective pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from January 2002 to April 2009. RESULTS: In addition to the established tumor-related pathological factors (in particular margin involvement; hazard ratio [HR] 2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65-4.84, P < 0.001), an elevated mGPS (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.43-3.57, P < 0.001) was independently associated with lower overall survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Additionally, in an adjuvant therapy subgroup of 74 patients, both margin involvement and an elevated mGPS remained independently associated with reduced overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: We have prospectively validated the influence of tumor-related and patient-related factors. Margin involvement and the preoperative mGPS were the most important determinants of overall survival in patients undergoing potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy. Furthermore, both had independent prognostic value in those patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. In the future, this may be considered a stratification factor for entry onto therapeutic trials.

The outcome of laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy in malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The development of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer is regarded by some as a terminal event. There are several interventional options available, one of which is laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ). To date, there are little data on the effectiveness of this intervention. Using patient records we sought to analyze our own experience of LGJ in patients with terminal pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with pancreatic or peri-ampullary cancer that underwent LGJ for GOO. All LGJ were performed by two consultant surgeons at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Patient notes were assessed for survival time after LGJ; post-operative complications; resumption of oral intake; time to discharge and recurrence of GOO after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients underwent LGJ for GOO between 2000 and 2004. Median age at time of procedure was 66.5 yr (range 40 to 79). Two patients were converted to an open procedure for technical reasons, both of whom died in the post-operative period. Of the remaining 16, 15 had successful relief of GOO. The remaining patient underwent revisional open surgery 15 d post-operatively due to persistent GOO. Two patients died in hospital but 14 were discharged with symptom relief. Median survival for these patients was 59 d (range 12 to 248). CONCLUSION: The development of GOO in pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer should not be regarded as a terminal event. LGJ should be considered as a treatment option in these patients.

Activation of the IL-6R/Jak/stat pathway is associated with a poor outcome in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic localized pancreatic inflammation in the form of chronic pancreatitis is an established risk factor for human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development. Constitutive activation of inflammation-related signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 signaling has been implicated in the development and progression a number of malignancies, including PDAC. Although, the Janus Kinase (Jak)/Stat pathway is a potential drug target, clinicopathological, molecular, and prognostic features of Stat3-activated PDAC remain uncertain. Our aim was to determine the clinicopathological impact of this inflammatory pathway in resectable PDAC. METHODS: Using a tissue microarray-based cohort of PDAC from 86 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with curative intent and complete clinicopathological data available, we evaluated expression of the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R)/Jak/Stat pathway by immunohistochemistry. IL-6R, Jak, phospho (p)-Jak, Stat3, pStat3(Tyr705), and pStat3(Ser727) were assessed in PDAC and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. A Cox regression multivariate analysis model was used to determine factors influencing survival. Activation of the IL-6R/Jak/Stat3 pathway was compared with the systemic inflammatory response as measured by serum C-reactive protein levels. RESULTS: High pJak was associated with reduced overall survival in multivariate analysis when compared with those with moderate or low expression (p = 0.036; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.68) as was pStat3(Tyr705) (p < 0.001; HR = 2.66) independent of lymph node status and tumor grade. Patients with a combination of pJakhigh/pStat3(Tyr705) high expression had an especially poor prognosis (median survival of 8.8 months; 95 % CI, 4.4-13.2). While the IL-6R/Jak/Stat pathway did not correlate with serum C-reactive protein levels, high pStat3 expression was associated with a reduction in the density of the local tumoral immune response. CONCLUSION: Activation of the Jak/Stat3 pathway via phosphorylation was associated with adverse outcome following resection of PDAC with curative intent supporting potential roles for pJak and pStat3 as prognostic biomarkers markers and therapeutic targets.