The NETest liquid biopsy is diagnostic for gastric neuroendocrine tumors: observations on the blood-based identification of microscopic and macroscopic residual diseaseOK.

BACKGROUND: NETest, a novel multi-gene liquid biopsy has utility in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) diagnosis and identification of residual disease. We independently assessed utility of the NETest to diagnose gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (GNENs) and identify micro- and macroscopic residual disease. METHODS: Cohorts comprised histologically confirmed GNENs at biopsy, n = 46; GNETs Type 1: 42 (32 NET G1, 10 NET G2), a GNET Type 3: 1 well-differentiated NET G3, neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) (n = 3), and controls (n = 63). Disease status at sampling was assessed by gastroscopy, histology (resection margin [R] positivity of polypectomy or biopsy), EUS, CT or MRI, and/or 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT. Groups included image- (gastroscopy, EUS, and anatomical and/or functional imaging) positive or image negative disease. NETest assay by PCR (spotted plates, normal cut-off: 20). DATA: mean ± SD. RESULTS: Disease extent: Image-negative (n = 30) (21 R0, 9 R1); Image-positive, n = 16. DIAGNOSIS: NETest was increased in GNETs (23 ± 11) vs. controls (7 ± 4, p < 0.0001). In histology-positive, the NETest accuracy was 100% (25/25). Microscopic disease: In image-negative but R1, NETest was elevated in 100% (9/9; 28 ± 9). Levels were elevated vs. controls (7 ± 4, p < 0.0001), or R0 (16 ± 11, p = 0.02). Eight of 21 R0, exhibited positive NETest. Macroscopic disease: Gastric lesions were multiple: 38%, single: 62%, submucosal: 13%, or ulcerated: 13%. Lesions size was ≤5 mm (50%), > 5-9.9 mm (17%), 10-19.9 mm (17%), ≥20 mm (17%) [≥10 mm: 34%). The NETest accuracy was 100% (16/16). Levels (28 ± 7) were higher than controls (7 ± 4, p < 0.0001) or R0 (16 ± 11, p = 0.002) but not to R1 (28 ± 9, p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: NETest is diagnostic for gastric NETs. Elevated levels identify both microscopic and macroscopic residual disease. In histology/image-negative disease, elevated NETest may reflect early evidence of increased neuroendocrine gene expression of hypergastrinemia-induced neoplastic transformation of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells to tumor status. A sensitive liquid biopsy has utility in the management and surveillance of gastric NET disease.

The role of the tissue plasminogen activator as a prognostic and differentiation factor in patients with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.

Unsatisfactory pancreatic cancer treatment outcomes have prompted multiple avenues of research focused on identifying not only biomarkers of pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression but also potential prognostic survival factors in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Study consisted of 75 patients who underwent pancreatic resections between 2006 and 2011: 35 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC), 30 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and a non-malignant control group (NMCG) of 10 patients who underwent surgery due to benign tumors. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) concentrations in tissue homogenates and sera were evaluated. The mean t-PA concentration in PC tissue homogenates was 12.3 ± 2 (7.5, 15) ng/mg. Compared with the t-PA concentration in the PC group, lower concentrations of t-PA (3.3 ± 0.7 (2.2, 4.7) ng/mg and 5.9 ± 0.8 (4.6, 7.3) ng/mg (P < 0.01)) were observed in tissue homogenates of the CP and the NMCG patients, respectively. Although serum concentrations of t-PA did not differ between patient groups, in PC patients, the t-PA concentrations were higher in sera than in tissue homogenates. In contrast, the CP and NMCG patient groups had lower t-PA concentrations in sera compared with tissue homogenates. Increasing tissue homogenate t-PA concentrations were associated with blood vessels infiltration. Tissue homogenate and serum t-PA concentrations were not related to the survival rate of patients with PC. The t-PA concentration above 7.45 ng/ml in tissue homogenates was indicative of PC. We concluded that higher concentrations of t-PA were observed in pancreatic cancer tissue compared to chronic pancreatitis, suggesting its potential role in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. In contrast, the lack of significant differences in the serum t-PA concentrations between treatment groups suggests that serum t-PA concentrations may not be suitable as a biomarker for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

[Total gastrectomy using Longmire's and Roux method. Evaluation of the invagination technique for esophageal-jejunal anastomosis]. / Calkowite wyciecie zoladka sposobem Longmire'a i Roux. Ocena inwaginacyjnej techniki zespolenia przelykowo-jelitowego.

582 patients were gastrectomized between 1976 and 1996 in the Department for Gastrointestinal Surgery in Katowice/Poland for gastric cancer. Before 1985 esophago-jejunal anastomosis have been accomplished using a simple end-to-end or special end-to-side (Schreiber-Eichfuss) method with jejunoplication. Thereafter we used an end-to-end invagination method with 4-5 cm deep intussusception of the first raw of sutures into jejunum. Comparison of the occurrence of short and long term complications at the site of esophago-jejunal anastomosis showed that invagination technique is safer that the previous one. It is associated with the lower rate of short and long term complications (dehiscence, stenosis, oesophagitis). Details of the surgical procedure facilitating the accomplishment of the tight and safe anastomosis are presented.

[Duodenojejunostomy in the symptomatic treatment of neoplastic obstruction of the duodenum--clinical observations]. / Zespolenie dwunastniczo-czcze w objawowym leczeniu nowotworowych niedroznosci dwunastnicy--spostrzezenia kliniczne.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of duodenojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy in the treatment of neoplastic obstruction in the distal part of the duodenum. From 1992-1996, 37 patients (15 women, 22 men, aged 31-76 years) underwent a palliative operation for pancreatic cancer infiltrating the distal part of duodenum. Roux-en-Y procedure was used to create anastomoses between the duodenal bulb and jejunal loop. In 13 patients only alimentary by-pass was made whereas in the remaining 24 biliary decompression was also performed. The results were compared with the outcome in 26 patients in whom gastrojejunal side-to-side anastomosis been made. The advantage of Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy is that it does not interfere with gastric emptying and thus prevents jejuno biliary reflux and the consequent complications. Improvement of nutrition and quality of life in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer, were noticed with this method.

[Evaluation of stomach emptying under extreme obstruction of gastrointestinal transit treated with gastro-intestinal or duodenal-intestinal anastomosis]. / Ocena oprózniania zoladkowego w warunkach wysokiej niedroznosci przewodu pokarmowego leczonej zespoleniem zoladkowo-jelitowym lub dwunastniczo-jelitowym.

The purpose of the present study was to compare gastric emptying in two groups of dogs in which a gastrojejunal or duodenojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis was performed over the site of an experimental obstruction in the distal duodenum. The experiment was carried out on 10 mongrel dogs. Gastric emptying was assessed twice in each dog before the experiment (control examination); the solid phase of the test meal was labelled with 99mTc. Following a control examination, the dogs were divided into two groups of 5 animals each, and subjected to the above mentioned surgical procedures. Postoperative gastric emptying was carried out 3 weeks after the operation, and then at 3 and 6 months following the procedure. The following parameters describing quantitatively gastric emptying were determined: mean transit time MTT0-60. MTT0-120 and total mean transit time MTT0-180. The comparison of these parameters revealed statistically significant differences confirming delay of gastric emptying in dogs with a gastrojejunal anastomosis.