Integrative immune transcriptomic classification improves patient selection for precision immunotherapy in advanced gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer (GEA) treatment has been improved by the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), yet identifying predictive biomarkers remains a priority, particularly in patients with a combined positive score (CPS) < 5, where the benefit is less clear. Our study assesses certain immune microenvironment features related to sensitivity or resistance to CPIs with the aim of implementing a personalised approach across CPS < 5 GEA. DESIGN: Through integrative transcriptomic and clinicopathological analyses, we studied in both a retrospective and a prospective cohort, the immune tumour microenvironment features. We analysed the cell types composing the immune infiltrate highlighting their functional activity. RESULTS: This integrative study allowed the identification of four different groups across our patients. Among them, we identified a cluster whose tumours expressed the most gene signatures related to immunomodulatory pathways and immunotherapy response. These tumours presented an enriched immune infiltrate showing high immune function activity that could potentially achieve the best benefit from CPIs. Finally, our findings were proven in an external CPI-exposed population, where the use of our transcriptomic results combined with CPS helped better identify those patients who could benefit from immunotherapy than using CPS alone (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: This transcriptomic classification could improve precision immunotherapy for GEA.

Diagnostic-therapeutic management of bile duct cancer.

Biliary tract cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, comprises a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors that can emerge at any part of the biliary tree. This group is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, which may be heterogeneous, and nonspecific biomarkers in serum and biopsy specimens, as well as on imaging techniques. Endoscopy-based diagnosis is essential, since it enables biopsy specimens to be taken. In addition, it can help with locoregional staging of distal tumors. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a key technique for the evaluation and treatment of malignant biliary tumors. Correct staging of cholangiocarcinoma is essential in order to be able to determine the degree of resectability and assess the results of treatment. The tumor is staged based on the TNM classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. The approach will depend on the classification of the tumor. Thus, some patients with early-stage disease could benefit from surgery; complete surgical resection is the cornerstone of cure. However, only a minority of patients are diagnosed in the early stages and are suitable candidates for resection. In the subset of patients diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, chemotherapy has been used to improve outcome and to delay tumor progression. The approach to biliary tract tumors should be multidisciplinary, involving experienced endoscopists, oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons.

Endoscopic recommendations for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Review of general recommendations.

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is recommended by all scientific societies. However, there are differences in the recommendations they make regarding screening and surveillance. We address a series of questions that come up in the daily clinical practice of a physician. The first two questions that are raised are: (1) Who should be offered screening for CRC? and (2) When should the first colonoscopy be performed? The next step is to decide who should undergo endoscopic surveillance and at what intervals they should be performed. Chromoendoscopy is emerging as the recommended endoscopic technique for screening and surveillance. The terminology for describing lesions detected with endoscopy is also changing. The management of visible lesions or non-visible dysplasia is also a motive for the review. We end the review by addressing the follow-up for endoscopically resected lesions. These questions often cannot be answered easily due to the varying degrees of evidence available; therefore, we have made some general recommendations based on those made by the various guidelines and consensuses. The first screening colonoscopy should be offered 8 years after a IBD diagnosis and we recommend that patients be stratified according to the individual risk for each for endoscopic surveillance intervals.