Clinical Outcomes of Follow-Up Observation After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Invading the Muscularis Mucosa Without Lymphovascular Involvement.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic approach after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) diagnosed as pathological T1a-muscularis mucosa (pT1a-MM) without lymphovascular involvement (LVI) remains uncertain. We aimed to determine whether observation after ESD is acceptable for patients without LVI showing pT1a-MM cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively registered 566 ESCC patients who were treated with ESD at ten institutions between January 2007 and December 2015. Of those, 447 cases showing pT1a-epithelium/lamina propria mucosa (EP/LPM) without LVI and vertical margin (VM) (EP/LPM group), and 41 cases showing pT1a-MM without LVI and VM (MM group) were analyzed in this investigation. The clinical outcomes were assessed between the groups. RESULTS: The 5 year cumulative incidence of metastatic recurrence was 0.5% and 3.3% in the EP/LPM and MM groups, respectively (P = 0.121). Two cases showing pT1a-EP/LPM and one showing pT1a-MM experienced lymph node recurrence. The 5 year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 1.5% and 3.8% in the EP/LPM and MM groups, respectively (P = 0.455). The 5 year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was 99.3% and 96.6% in the EP/LPM and MM groups, respectively (P = 0.118), whereas the 5 year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the EP/LPM group than in the MM group (92.6% versus 81.1%, respectively; P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: As regards metastatic recurrence and DSS, ESCC patients with pT1a-MM without LVI showed favorable outcomes that were equivalent to those with pT1a-EP/LPM, even when they were not treated with additional therapy after ESD.

Risk and prognostic factors of invasive gastric cancer detection during surveillance endoscopy: Multi-institutional cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is important for the detection of curable gastric cancer (GC). However, there are no appropriate surveillance data during routine endoscopic inspections. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors of pT1b or deeper GC detection during surveillance endoscopy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in 15 Japanese hospitals. We retrospectively analyzed patients with GC who had previously undergone surveillance endoscopy at each institution from January 2014 to March 2020. Patients who had undergone gastrectomy, non-infection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp), and those with intervals <3 months or >10 years from a previous endoscopy were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 1085 patients with GCs detected during surveillance endoscopy were enrolled. The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that current Hp infection (odds ratio [OR] 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-3.16) and a surveillance interval of >1.5 years (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.35-2.84) were independent risk factors for pT1b or deeper GC. The 5-year disease-specific survival (5y-DSS) rate of GC was significantly lower in patients with surveillance interval of >1.5 years than in those with surveillance interval of ≤1.5 years (93.7% vs. 98.3%, P < 0.001). Similarly, the 5y-DSS rate of GC was significantly lower in patients with active Hp infection than in those without (93.7% vs. 99.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, a surveillance interval of >1.5 years and current Hp infection were independent risk factors for detecting pT1b or deeper GC. Additionally, these factors were poor prognostic factors of the detected GC during surveillance endoscopy.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer in Patients Aged 85 Years Old or Older Is Associated with a Good Prognosis Compared to Conservative Treatment without Any Invasive Procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have reported the feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) in elderly people with respect to both short- and long-term outcomes. As the elderly population in society increases, the requirement for managing super-elderly patients aged ≥85 years with EGC will also increase. This study aims to identify the long-term clinical outcomes of ESD for clinical T1N0 EGC in patients aged ≥85 years. METHODS: A total of 370 consecutive patients aged ≥85 years with clinical T1N0 EGC who were managed in 11 institutions were reviewed retrospectively. On the basis of treatment strategy, we compared the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) after performing propensity score-matched analysis between patients undergoing ESD (ESD group) and those not undergoing treatment (conservative treatment group). The potential prognostic factors were also investigated in the propensity score-matched patients. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, we found that the 3-year OS and DSS rates were significantly higher in the ESD group than in the conservative treatment group (OS, 82.2% vs. 50.5%; p < 0.001; DSS, 100% vs. 80.1%; p = 0.008). Furthermore, ESD was identified as a significant factor for prolonged OS, whereas Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥3 and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) <36.2 were associated with reduced OS. CONCLUSION: ESD was associated with improved OS in patients with clinical T1N0 EGC aged ≥85 years compared with the absence of treatment. Furthermore, CCI and PNI were helpful for patient selection.

Prognostic risk factors associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection: a multi-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been assessed in a large, multicenter cohort. We aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes of ESD for ESCC in a real-world setting. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited 659 patients who underwent ESD for ESCC at ten institutions from January 2007 to December 2015. Of these, 566 patients were analyzed and classified into three groups according to the pathologic invasion depth after ESD: epithelium/lamina propria mucosa (EP/LPM group: 454 patients), muscularis mucosa/submucosa invasion ≤ 200 µm below the inferior margin of the muscularis mucosa (MM/SM1 group: 81 patients), and submucosa invasion > 200 µm below the MM inferior margin (SM2 group: 31 patients). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rates in the EP/LPM, MM/SM1, and SM2 groups were 92.6%, 80.0%, and 62.7%, respectively, while the 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 99.7%, 96.9%, and 88.3%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that the invasion depth, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were independent prognostic factors. Hazard ratios in the MM/SM1 and SM2 groups were 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-4.83; P = 0.038) and 3.18 (95% CI 1.08-9.34; P = 0.036), respectively, compared to those in the EP/LPM group, while those for patients with a CCI ≥ 3 and PNI ≤ 47.75 were 3.25 (95% CI 1.79-5.89; P < 0.001) and 2.42 (95% CI 1.26-4.65; P = 0.008), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that invasion depth, presence of comorbid diseases and preoperative nutritional status are independent prognostic risk factors associated with ESCC patients undergoing ESD.

Clinical Outcomes of Vonoprazan-Treated Patients after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Neoplasms: A Prospective Multicenter Observation Study.

BACKGROUND: Vonoprazan (VPZ) has the potential to prevent delayed bleeding and promote ulcer healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) similar to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of VPZ-treated patients after ESD and compared the efficacy and feasibility in preventing a delayed bleeding and in healing an artificial ulcer after ESD between the VPZ and PPI therapies. METHODS: This was a prospective, observation study in 11 Japanese medical institutions. We enrolled and evaluated 223 patients who underwent gastric ESD followed by VPZ treatment (VPZ group). We selected 385 patients who underwent gastric ESD followed by PPI treatment as historical controls (PPI group) to compare the outcomes between the VPZ and PPI groups using a propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: Among the 223 patients treated with VPZ, 173 were men and 50 were women with a median age of 72 years and with a median tumor size of 12.0 mm. Rates of en bloc resection and complete resection were 99.1 and 94.2%, respectively. Lymphovascular invasion was found in 6 (6.3%) cases. Intraoperative perforation and delayed bleeding occurred in 3 (1.3%) and 10 patients (4.5%), respectively. Scarring of artificial post-ESD ulcer was found in 153 patients (68.6%) at 6 weeks after ESD. The 205 pairs of propensity score-matched patients were comparable between the VPZ and PPI groups. The rate of delayed bleeding in the VPZ and PPI groups was 3.9 and 4.4%, respectively (difference, 0.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -3.7 to 2.8%; non-inferiority, p = 0.01). Therefore, VPZ therapy demonstrated non-inferiority against PPI therapy in reducing the rate of delayed bleeding. The scar-stage ulcer at 6 weeks in the VPZ group and 8 weeks in the PPI group was 68.3 and 74.6%, respectively (p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: VPZ therapy showed an efficacy and feasibility in preventing a delayed bleeding after ESD similar to the PPI therapy. VPZ for 6 weeks and PPI for 8 weeks were similarly effective for an artificial ulcer healing after ESD.

[A case of liver Mycobacterium avium complex syndrome, diagnosed by liver biopsy].

A man in his 70s was referred to our hospital for evaluation of low-grade fever, weight loss, and liver dysfunction. Serological tests for viral hepatitis or autoimmune diseases were negative. No significant findings were observed on whole-body computed tomography (CT). Histopathologic examination of a liver biopsy sample revealed a non-caseating granuloma with acid-fast bacillus using the Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Serum Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) antibody was positive. We started treatment for pulmonary MAC disease. His clinical condition and liver function improved within two months. He was diagnosed with liver MAC disease.

Alterations of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling subunit-BRG1 and BRM in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex, which contains either brahma-related gene-1 (BRG1) or brahma (BRM) as the catalytic ATPase, functions as a master regulator of gene expression. AIMS: To examine alterations of BRG1 and BRM in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We investigated DNA copy number aberrations in human HCC cell lines using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray. We determined DNA copy numbers and expression levels of BRG1 and BRM genes in primary HCC tumours, and conducted further searches for mutations in BRG1 and BRM genes. RESULTS: Homozygous deletion of the BRG1 gene was found in HCC cell line SNU398. Copy number losses of BRG1 and BRM genes were observed in 14 (26%) and 7 (13%) of 54 primary HCC tumours respectively. We found four somatic missense mutations in the BRG1 gene in two of 36 primary HCC tumours, but no mutations in BRM gene. Expression of BRM mRNA, but not BRG1 mRNA, was significantly reduced in primary HCC tumours, compared to non-tumour tissue counterparts. Immunohistochemical analyses of non-tumour liver tissues showed that BRM protein was expressed in hepatocytes and bile-duct epithelial cells, whereas BRG1 protein was expressed in bile-duct epithelial cells, but not in hepatocytes. BRM protein expression was lost in nine (22.5%) of 40 HCC tumours. Loss of BRM protein expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival. CONCLUSION: Reduced expression of BRM may contribute to the carcinogenesis of HCC. Although deletions and mutations in BRG1 gene were identified, the role of BRG1 in HCC tumourigenesis remains unclear.

SOX2 identified as a target gene for the amplification at 3q26 that is frequently detected in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

SOX2 is a transcription factor with a high-mobility group DNA-binding domain that functions as a master regulator during embryogenesis and organogenesis. We investigated DNA copy number aberrations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray and found frequent amplification at the chromosomal region 3q26. The estimated extent of the minimal overlapping region of amplification was 1.3 Mb. This chromosomal region includes a single gene, SOX2. The SOX2 protein was overexpressed in cell lines in which the gene was amplified. Knockdown experiments showed that SOX2 promotes proliferation of ESCC cells. Genes potentially modulated by SOX2 were determined by expression array analyses combined with small interfering RNA cell-transfection studies. A copy number gain of SOX2 (>2-fold) was observed in 6 of the 40 primary ESCCs (15%). Immunohistochemical study revealed that expression of the SOX2 protein was significantly elevated in 62 of the 89 ESCC tumors (70%), compared with their nontumorous counterparts, and that upregulated expression of SOX2 was associated with poor differentiation of ESCC. Our results suggest that SOX2 is likely to be a target of the 3q26 amplification and may therefore be involved in the development or progression of ESCC.

PEG10 is a probable target for the amplification at 7q21 detected in hepatocellular carcinoma.

DNA copy number aberrations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines were investigated using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray, and a novel amplification at the chromosomal region 7q21 was detected. Molecular definition of the amplicon indicated that PEG10 (paternally expressed gene 10), a paternally expressed imprinted gene, was amplified together with CDK14 (cyclin-dependent kinase 14; previously PFTAIRE protein kinase 1, PFTK1) and CDK6 (cyclin-dependent kinase 6). An increase in PEG10 copy number was detected in 14 of 34 primary HCC tumors (41%). PEG10, but not CDK14 or CDK6, was significantly overexpressed in 30 of 41 tumors (73%) from HCC patients, compared with their nontumorous counterparts. These results suggest that PEG10 is a probable target, acting as a driving force for amplification of the 7q21 region, and may therefore be involved in the development or progression of HCCs.

Infrequent amplification of JUN in hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To determine whether JUN (the oncogene encoding c-Jun protein) is amplified and overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA copy number aberrations were investigated using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray. DNA copy numbers were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Genomic DNA and mRNA were quantified using real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: A novel amplification was found at the chromosomal region 1p32-31 in a JHH-2 HCC cell line within which JUN is amplified and overexpressed. However, no copy number gain of JUN (>2-fold) was observed in 34 primary HCC tumors. Rather, a loss of JUN (<0.5-fold) was seen in 13 (38%) out of the 34 tumors and expression of JUN was significantly lower in 26 (70%) out of the 37 HCC tumors compared with their nontumorous counterparts. CONCLUSION: Although JUN was amplified and overexpressed in JHH-2 HCC cells, amplification and overexpression of JUN may be rare in primary HCCs.

ERK5 is a target for gene amplification at 17p11 and promotes cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating mitotic entry.

Using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays, we investigated DNA copy-number aberrations in cell lines derived from hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and detected a novel amplification at 17p11. To identify the target of amplification at 17p11, we defined the extent of the amplicon and examined HCC cell lines for expression of all seven genes in the 750-kb commonly amplified region. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 7, which encodes extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 5, was overexpressed in cell lines in which the gene was amplified. An increase in MAPK7 copy number was detected in 35 of 66 primary HCC tumors. Downregulation of MAPK7 by small interfering RNA suppressed the growth of SNU449 cells, the HCC cell line with the greatest amplification and overexpression of MAPK7. ERK5, phosphorylated during the G2/M phases of the cell cycle, regulated entry into mitosis in SNU449 cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that MAPK7 is likely the target of 17p11 amplification and that the ERK5 protein product of MAPK7 promotes the growth of HCC cells by regulating mitotic entry.

A novel amplification target, ARHGAP5, promotes cell spreading and migration by negatively regulating RhoA in Huh-7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

RhoA, a member of the Rho family of small GTPases, directs the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and is involved in regulating cell shape and movement. Its activity is negatively regulated by p190-B RhoGAP (GTPase-activating protein). We investigated DNA copy number aberrations in human hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray and found a novel amplification at chromosomal region 14q12. We identified ARHGAP5 (the gene encoding p190-B RhoGAP) as a probable target for the amplification at 14q12, and our results showed that p190-B RhoGAP promotes cells spreading and migration by negatively regulating RhoA activity in Huh-7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Activation of B-Myb by E2F1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: Deregulation of E2F1 transcriptional activity is observed in a variety of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the present study is to identify transcriptional target genes of E2F1 in HCC. METHODS: We determined expression levels for E2F1 and ten candidate genes thought to be targets of E2F1 in primary HCCs using a real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assay. Following small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of E2F1 in HCC cell lines, we quantified mRNA levels of the candidate E2F1 target genes. RESULTS: E2F1 was significantly over-expressed in 41 primary HCCs as compared to non-tumorous liver tissues. Among the candidates, MYBL2, whose product is the transcriptional factor B-Myb, which is involved in controlling cell-cycle progression and apoptosis, was significantly over-expressed in primary HCCs. Additionally, expression levels of MYBL2 correlated with those of E2F1. Knockdown of E2F1 resulted in a decrease in expression of MYBL2. A copy-number gain for MYBL2 was observed in 36 of 66 primary HCCs, suggesting that MYBL2 expression is up-regulated by amplification in addition to being regulated by E2F1. Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of MYBL2 led to reduced expression of CDC2 (which encodes CDC2), cyclin A2 (CCNA2), and topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), implicating these genes in the cell cycle and suggesting that they may be downstream targets of B-Myb. CONCLUSION: MYBL2 is a probable transcriptional target of E2F1 in HCC and may therefore be a useful biomarker for diagnosis and an attractive target for molecular therapies useful to treat HCC.

CREB3L4, INTS3, and SNAPAP are targets for the 1q21 amplicon frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma.

High-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis revealed novel amplification at 1q21 in cell lines derived from hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Fluorescence in situ hybridization and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction studies verified amplification at 1q21. An increase in copy number at the region was detected in 32 of the 36 primary HCC tumors (89%). To identify the targets for amplification, we examined 19 HCC cell lines for expression levels of all 26 genes located within the 700-kb amplified region. Five genes were overexpressed in cell lines with amplification at 1q21. Among these, CREB3L4 (cAMP responsive element binding protein 3-like 4), INTS3 (integrator complex subunit 3), and SNAPAP (SNAP-associated protein) were significantly overexpressed in tumors from 18 HCC patients, compared with counterpart nontumorous tissues. The findings suggest that CREB3L4, INTS3, and SNAPAP are probable targets for the amplification mechanism and may therefore be involved, together or separately, in the development or progression of HCCs.