Co-existing Neuroendocrine Tumors in the Ileum and Pancreas: A Clinico-Pathological Challenge.

Ileal (I) and pancreatic (Pan) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are among the most common digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Coexisting NETs at both sites are rare, and establishing the primary or metastatic nature of the two lesions may be crucial for the appropriate treatment. We reviewed all the clinical reports of patients with INETs or PanNETs, diagnosed and treated in our ENETS Center of Excellence between 2012 and 2022. We selected patients with a history of synchronous or metachronous neuroendocrine (NE) lesions at the ileum and pancreas. For those with available histological samples from both sites, an immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis for CDX2, Islet1, and serotonin has been performed. We found seven patients with NET in both the ileum and pancreas. F to M ratio was 4:3, and the median age at first diagnosis was 54 years (42-79). Five cases had synchronous lesions; in 2 cases, PanNETs were diagnosed respectively 8 and 56 months, after INETs. In four patients, with available histological samples from both the sites, a pathologic review and the IHC analysis have been performed, identifying three different scenarios: (i) primary INET metastatic to the pancreas, (ii) primary PanNET metastatic to the ileum, and (iii) synchronous primary PanNET and INET. In our experience, coexisting ileal and pancreatic NENs are rare occurrences. A multidisciplinary evaluation case-by-case and, whenever feasible, a comprehensive histopathological examination are needed to distinguish between metastatic and primary disease, in order to properly treat the patient.

Assessing the effectiveness and safety of surufatinib versus everolimus or sunitinib in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms: insights from a real-world, retrospective cohort study using propensity score and inverse probability treatment weighting analysis.

Background: While surufatinib, sunitinib, and everolimus have shown efficacy for advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), direct comparisons in a real-world setting remain unexplored. This gap highlights the clinical need to understand their comparative effectiveness and safety within the diverse Chinese population. Addressing this, our study provides insights into the real-world performance of these therapies, aiming to inform treatment selection and improve patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, including patients with advanced NENs treated with surufatinib, sunitinib, or everolimus between July 2020 and April 2023. Eligibility criteria focused on histologically confirmed, locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic NENs, with patients having received at least one month of targeted therapy. We employed inverse probability weighting (IPW) with the propensity score (PS) matching to adjust for the bias of baseline characteristics. The assessment of covariates included age, sex, performance status, primary tumor site, functional status, genetic mutations, tumor differentiation, Ki67 index, tumor grade, metastasis site, and previous therapies. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary outcomes included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events (AEs). Results: The study enrolled 123, 56, and 68 locally advanced or metastatic NEN patients treated with surufatinib, sunitinib, and everolimus, respectively. Before adjusting for confounding factors, surufatinib was used less frequently as a first-line treatment compared to sunitinib and everolimus in pancreatic NENs (pNENs) (11.1% vs. 22.1%, P=0.057). Significant differences were noted in prior treatments and tumor characteristics between surufatinib and everolimus groups in extrapancreatic NENs (epNENs) (P<0.05). Post-IPW, these disparities were resolved (P>0.05). Surufatinib demonstrated superior median PFS (mPFS) in both pancreatic [8.30 vs. 6.33 months, hazard ratio (HR) 0.592, P<0.001] and epNENs (8.73 vs. 3.70 months, HR 0.608, P<0.001) compared to everolimus or sunitinib. Notably, male gender (HR 1.75, P=0.001), functional status (HR 2.09, P=0.01), Ki67 index >20% (HR 12.7, P=0.004), previous somatostatin analogue (SSA) treatment (HR 1.73, P=0.001), germline mutation (HR 5.62, P<0.001), poor differentiation (HR 7.45, P<0.001), liver metastasis (HR 1.72, P=0.001) and multiple treatment lines (HR 1.62 for 2nd line, P=0.04; HR 1.88 for ≥3rd line, P=0.01) were identified as negative prognostic factors for PFS. Conversely, dose adjustment (HR 0.63, P=0.009) and treatment with surufatinib (HR 0.58 for pNEN, P<0.001; HR 0.62 for epNEN, P=0.002) were correlated with longer PFS. Conclusions: In a real-world Chinese cohort, surufatinib significantly outperformed sunitinib and everolimus in prolonging PFS among advanced NEN patients, with identifiable clinical features impacting survival, and conclusions regarding superiority should be interpreted with caution due to the retrospective design. Our findings underscore the need for prospective studies to further validate these results and explore additional predictive biomarkers for personalized treatment strategies.

Endoscopic Resection for Duodenal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms between 10 and 20 mm-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background. The optimal management of duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms (dNENs) sized 10-20 mm remains controversial and although endoscopic resection is increasingly performed instead of surgery, the therapeutic approach in this setting is not fully standardized. We performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis to clarify the outcomes of endoscopic resection for 10-20 mm dNENs in terms of efficacy (i.e., recurrence rate) and safety. Methods. A computerized literature search was performed using relevant keywords to identify pertinent articles published until January 2023. Results. Seven retrospective studies were included in this systematic review. The overall recurrence rate was 14.6% (95%CI 5.4-27.4) in 65 patients analyzed, without significant heterogeneity. When considering studies specifically focused on endoscopic mucosal resection, the recurrence rate was 20.5% (95%CI 10.7-32.4), without significant heterogeneity. The ability to obtain the free margin after endoscopic resection ranged between 36% and 100%. No complications were observed in the four studies reporting this information. Conclusions. Endoscopic resection could be the first treatment option in patients with dNENs sized 10-20 mm and without evidence of metastatic disease. Further studies are needed to draw more solid conclusions, particularly in terms of superiority among the available endoscopic techniques.

Diagnostic Yield of Small Bowel Videocapsule Endoscopy in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia. A Systematic Review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or malabsorption represents the most frequent aetiologies of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The cause of IDA remains undetermined in ~10% to 20% of patients undergoing upper and lower GI endoscopies. In this scenario, a small bowel examination with videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) is recommended. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic yield of VCE in patients with IDA without overt bleeding, assessing the prevalence of either any lesion or lesions at high potential of bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized literature search was performed using relevant keywords to identify all the pertinent articles published until March 2023. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 1703 IDA patients (Males: 47%; age range: 19-92 y) were included in this systematic review. The diagnostic yield of VCE for overall lesions in the small bowel was 61% (95% CI=44-77; 95 CI=97.2-98.1; I2=97.7%). When analyzing only small bowel lesions likely responsible of IDA, the diagnostic yield was 40% (95% CI=27-53; 95% CI=95.3-97; I2=96.3%). CONCLUSION: VCE plays a relevant role in the diagnostic work-up of patients with IDA without overt bleeding with a satisfactory diagnostic yield.

Small bowel lesions in patients with iron deficiency anaemia without overt bleeding: a multicentre study.

The diagnostic work-up in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) patients can be challenging when bleedings or malabsorption are not clinically manifest. Lesions on the small bowel mucosa may cause IDA. We evaluated the prevalence of lesions on the small bowel mucosa detected at Videocapsule Endoscopy (VCE) in IDA patients following negative upper and lower endoscopies. Clinical and endoscopic data collected in 5 centres were retrieved. Lesions with a high bleeding potential (P2) were computed, and predictive factors investigated at multivariate analysis. By considering data of 230 patients, the endoscopic examination detected a total of 96 (41.7%; 95% CI: 35.4-48.1) P2 lesions on the small bowel mucosa, including 4 (1.7%) cancers. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was found to be the only associated factor at both univariate (OR: 5.7, 95% CI: 2.4-13.4; P <0.001) and multivariate (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.7-3.9, P <0.01) analyses. Present study showed that evaluation of small bowel mucosa with VCE allows to disclose a potential cause of IDA in near half patients. The cooperation between haematologists and gastroenterologists in the diagnostic work-up may be useful.

Small Bowel Imaging in Celiac Disease: Is there a role for Small Bowel Ultrasound?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The incidence of celiac disease (CD) has increased over the last decades in part due to better disease awareness. Small bowel ultrasound (sb US) enables dynamic assessment of the bowel; although this topic has been addressed, the use of sb US in the diagnosis and in the follow-up of CD patients is limited to a few specialized tertiary referral centers. Herein, we aimed at summarizing the available literature on this topic to better define the potential clinical implications of sb US in CD, also through a comparison with other available diagnostic techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: According to available data, sb US can be of help in confirming or excluding CD in patients with clinical suspicion; specifically, the finding of increased gall bladder volume, free abdominal fluid and enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes reliably and accurately predicts the diagnosis of CD, whereas the absence of bowel dilatation and increased peristalsis may exclude the diagnosis. However, the place of intestinal US in the diagnostic algorithm of CD is likely to vary depending on the probability of the disease in a given population. There are only a few studies on the role of sb US in complicated CD, even if recent reports suggest a possible clinical role. There is a lack of data on follow-up of CD patients, particularly with the aim of detecting a poor diet adherence. According to current data sb US parameters have been shown to be of value in confirming and excluding the diagnosis of CD. Prospective studies with large sample size are warranted to determine whether to include sb US in the available guidelines for CD diagnosis and monitoring.

Multidisciplinary Approach to the Diagnosis of Occult Primary Neuroendocrine Neoplasm: A Clinical Challenge.

Approximately 11% to 14% of subjects with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have metastatic lesions with unknown primary origin (UPO), with the majority of UPO-NENs found in the small bowel. Herein, we assessed the available literature on UPO-NENs, focusing on clinical presentation and diagnostic techniques to identify the primary site. The identification of the primary tumor is important as it affects the prognosis; however, the clinical presentation can be non-specific in non-functioning forms. In the presence of metastatic disease, the histological sample is fundamental to obtain immunohistochemical markers that might orientate the clinician in the search for the primary tumor through radiology, functional imaging and endoscopic techniques. In summary, multidisciplinary management plays a key role in UPO-NENs, even more than in other NENs. Molecular biology and gene-expression profiling represent areas of great interest which might be developed in the near future for both the diagnosis and the treatment of these neoplasms.

Urinary 5-Hydroxyindolacetic Acid Measurements in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumor-Related Carcinoid Syndrome: State of the Art.

Carcinoid syndrome (CS), mostly associated with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) or lung-related NETs, is characterized by symptoms related to hormonal secretion and long-term complications, including carcinoid heart disease (CHD), which is potentially life-threatening. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms are non-specific, which leads to delayed diagnoses. The availability of reliable tumor markers is crucial for a prompt diagnosis and proper management. This review summarizes available evidence on the role of 24 h urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (24u5HIAA), which is the urinary breakdown metabolite of serotonin, in the diagnosis/follow-up of NET-related CS, with a focus on its potential prognostic role, while eventually attempting to suggest a timeline for its measurement during the follow-up of NET patients. The use of 24u5HIAA is an established biomarker for the diagnosis of NETs with CS since it shows a sensibility and specificity of 100% and 85-90%, respectively. The downside of 24u5-HIAA is represented by the need for 24 h urine collection and the risk of confounding factors (foods and medication), which might lead to false positive/negative results. Moreover, 24u5HIAA is useful in the follow-up of NETs with CS since a shorter double time correlates to a higher risk of disease progression/disease-specific mortality. Furthermore, an elevation in 24u5-HIAA is correlated with a dismal prognosis because it is associated with an increased likelihood of CHD development and disease progression/mortality. Other potentially interesting biochemical markers have been proposed, including plasmatic 5HIAA, although further standardization and prospective studies are required to define their role in the management of NETs. Meanwhile, 24u5HIAA remains the most accurate CS biomarker.

Paradoxical association between dyspepsia and autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis: Insights into mechanisms, pathophysiology, and treatment options.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a progressive, chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of gastric parietal cells leading to hypo/anacidity and loss of intrinsic factor. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as dyspepsia and early satiety are very common, being second in terms of frequency only to anemia, which is the most typical feature of AIG. AIM: To address both well-established and more innovative information and knowledge about this challenging disorder. METHODS: An extensive bibliographical search was performed in PubMed to identify guidelines and primary literature (retrospective and prospective studies, systematic reviews, case series) published in the last 10 years. RESULTS: A total of 125 records were reviewed and 80 were defined as fulfilling the criteria. CONCLUSION: AIG can cause a range of clinical manifestations, including dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of dyspepsia in AIG is complex and involves changes in acid secretion, gastric motility, hormone signaling, and gut microbiota, among other factors. Managing dyspeptic symptoms of AIG is challenging and there are no specific therapies targeting dyspepsia in AIG. While proton pump inhibitors are commonly used to treat dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, they may not be appropriate for AIG. Prokinetic agents, antidepressant drugs, and non-pharmacological treatments may be of help, even if not adequately evidence-based supported. A multidisciplinary approach for the management of dyspepsia in AIG is recommended, and further research is needed to develop and validate more effective therapies for dyspepsia.

Prevalence of Osteopathy in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are at increased risk for nutritional complications during their clinical course. We appraised the literature to provide updated estimates of the prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and osteopathy in CP using a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Search strategies were developed for major databases from inception through October 2021. Outcomes of interest included rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans and risk factors. A random-effects model was used for analysis, and results were expressed as pooled cumulative rates along with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: From an initial total of 1,704 identified articles, we ultimately selected 17 studies that involved 1,659 subjects (n = 1,067 men) with CP. The pooled rate of osteopathy was 58% (95% CI: 49%-67%; P < 0.001; I 2 = 91.8%). The pooled rate of osteoporosis was 18% (95% CI: 12%-23%; P < 0.001; I 2 = 86.3%), and the pooled rate of osteopenia was 39% (95% CI: 31%-48%; P < 0.001; I 2 = 91.53%). In the systematic review, factors associated with decreased bone mineral density included smoking, alcohol consumption, older age, female sex, low body mass index, decreased vitamins D and K, and fecal elastase levels. DISCUSSION: Patients with CP have high rates of osteopathy when assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry imaging. Additional studies with longitudinal follow-up are needed to understand the observed heterogeneity, the cumulative burden of disease, and rate of bone loss in CP.

Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Celiac Disease: From Pathogenesis to Treatment.

Celiac disease (CD) is a common systemic disorder that results from an abnormal response of human immunity to gluten intake, affecting the small intestine. In individuals who carry a genetic susceptibility, CD is triggered by environmental factors, including viral infections and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. The gut microbiome is essential in controlling the immune system, and recent findings indicate that changes in the gut microbiome may contribute to various chronic immune disorders, such as CD through mechanisms that still require further exploration. Some bacteria exhibit epitopes that mimic gliadin and may enhance an immune response in the host. Other bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, may work in conjunction with gluten to trigger and escalate intestinal inflammation. The microbiota may also directly influence antigen development through the production of immunogenic or tolerogenic gluten peptides or directly influence intestinal permeability through the release of zonulin. Finally, the gut microbiome can impact intestinal inflammation by generating proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines and metabolites. It is crucial to consider the impact of genetic factors (specifically, HLA-DQ haplotypes), perinatal elements such as birth mode, type of infant feeding, and antibiotic and infection exposure on the composition of the early intestinal microbiome. According to the available studies, the gut microbiome alterations associated with CD tend to exhibit a decreased presence of beneficial bacteria, including some anti-inflammatory Bifidobacterium species. However, some controversy remains as some reports have found no significant differences between the gut microbiomes of individuals with and without CD. A better understanding of the gut microbiome's role in the development of CD would greatly benefit both prevention and treatment efforts, especially in complicated or treatment-resistant cases. Here, we have attempted to summarize the available evidence on the relationship between the gut microbiota and CD, with a particular focus on potential therapeutic targets.

Endoscopic techniques for diagnosis and treatment of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: Where we are.

BACKGROUND: The correct localization of the primary tumor site and a complete histological diagnosis represent the milestones for the proper management of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs). AIM: To analyze current evidence on the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis/treatment of GEP-NENs. METHODS: An extensive bibliographical search was performed in PubMed to identify guidelines and primary literature (retrospective and prospective studies, systematic reviews, case series) published in the last 15 years, using both medical subject heading (MeSH) terms and free-language keywords: gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms; endoscopy; ultrasound endoscopy; capsule endoscopy; double-balloon enteroscopy; diagnosis; therapy; staging. RESULTS: In the diagnostic setting, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) represents the diagnostic gold standard for pancreatic NENs and the technique of choice for the locoregional staging of gastric, duodenal and rectal NENs. The diagnosis of small bowel NENs (sbNENs) has been improved with the advent of video capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy, which allow for direct visualization of the entire small bowel; however, data regarding the efficacy/safety of these techniques in the detection of sbNENs are scanty and often inconclusive. From a therapeutic point of view, endoscopic removal is the treatment of choice for the majority of gastric NENs (type 1/2), for well-differentiated localized nonmetastatic duodenal NENs < 1 cm, confined to the submucosa layer and for < 10 mm, stage T1-T2, rectal NENs. EUS-guided pancreatic locoregional ablative treatments have been proposed in recent studies with promising results in order to control symptoms or reduce tumor burden in selected patients. CONCLUSION: Standard axial endoscopy and EUS still play a pivotal role in several GEP-NENs. Advanced techniques for increasing the rate of R0 resection should be reserved for high-volume referral centers.

Synchronous duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasm and congenital factor XIII deficiency: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are uncommon, with duodenal NENs (dNENs) being particularly rare in clinical practice. Congenital factor XIII deficiency (FXIIID) is also an extremely rare hematological disease in which poor wound healing may occur due to coagulopathy. The concurrent occurrence of these two rare diseases has not been reported before, which increases the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment. This is the first report of dNEN concomitant with Congenital FXIIID, which can present as a reference for clinicians who may encounter similar situations in the future. Case Description: We report a 33-year-old woman with bleeding diathesis since childhood who complained of digestive tract bleeding for 7 years. She was finally diagnosed as duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasm combined with congenital factor XIII deficiency. The patient underwent surgery, and pathological findings confirmed neuroendocrine tumor. After surgery she received cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) therapy. No tumor recurrence has been observed nor recurrence of digestive tract bleeding during the 2-year follow-up. Conclusions: Our report suggests when gastrointestinal bleeding is difficult to explain, more general examinations in addition to gastroscopy should be performed. In situations where digestive tract bleeding cannot be fully explained by a single disease, the possibility of concomitant disease, such as hematological disorders, should be considered to avoid the missed diagnosis of rare co-morbidities.

The Role of Diet and Supplements in the Prevention and Progression of COVID-19: Current Knowledge and Open Issues.

A healthy diet and dietary supplements have gained attention as potential co-adjuvants in managing and preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This paper critically reviews the current evidence regarding the impact of diet and supplements on the prevention and progression of COVID-19. According to available data, a healthy diet and normal weight are considered protective factors. Regarding dietary supplementation, the most robust results from human studies are for vitamin C, which appears to decrease inflammatory markers and suppress cytokine storm. A small, randomized trial showed that a high dose of vitamin D significantly reduced the need for intensive care unit treatment of patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19. According to retrospective human studies, there is limited evidence for vitamin E and selenium supplements. Animal studies have investigated the effects of green tea and curcumin. Xanthohumol and probiotics, interesting for their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties, need formal clinical study. In summary, there is promising evidence supporting the role of diet and supplements as co-adjuvants in the treatment of COVID-19. Further studies and properly designed clinical trials are necessary to draw more robust conclusions; however, it is not unreasonable to take a pragmatic approach and promote the use of appropriate diet and supplements to counter the effects of COVID-19, ideally with a mechanism to assess outcomes.

The Increasing Incidence of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Worldwide: Current Knowledge and Open Issues.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) include a heterogeneous group of tumors derived from neuroendocrine cells, most commonly arising from the gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) and bronchopulmonary tracts [...].

Clinical treatment of cholangiocarcinoma: an updated comprehensive review.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms of the bile ducts and represents the second most common hepatic cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma; it is sub-classified as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA), the latter comprising both perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA or Klatskin tumor), and distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA). The global incidence of CCA has increased worldwide in recent decades. Chronic inflammation of biliary epithelium and bile stasis represent the main risk factors shared by all CCA sub-types. When feasible, liver resection is the treatment of choice for CCA, followed by systemic chemotherapy with capecitabine. Liver transplants represent a treatment option in patients with very early iCCA, in referral centers only. CCA diagnosis is often performed at an advanced stage when CCA is unresectable. In this setting, systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin represents the first treatment option, but the prognosis remains poor. In order to ameliorate patients' survival, new drugs have been studied in the last few years. Target therapies are directed against different molecules, which are altered in CCA cells. These therapies have been studied as second-line therapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. In the same setting, the immune checkpoints inhibitors targeting programmed death 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), have been proposed, as well as cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapy (ACT). These experimental treatments showed promising results and have been proposed as second- or third-line treatment, alone or in combination with chemotherapy or target therapies.

Long-term outcomes of resection versus transplantation for neuroendocrine liver metastases meeting the Milan criteria.

Liver resection (LR) is considered the treatment of choice for resectable neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM), while liver transplantation (LT) is currently reserved for highly selected unresectable patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive patients undergoing either curative resection or transplantation for liver-only NELM meeting Milan criteria at a single center between 1984 and 2019. Patients who fit Milan criteria were 48 in the transplantation group and 56 in the resection group. After a median follow-up of 158 months for the transplantation group and 126 for the resection group, the 10-year survival rate was 93% for transplantation and 75% for resection (p = .007). The 10-year disease-free survival rate was 52% for transplantation and 18% for resection (p < .001). Transplantation was associated with improved survival at univariate analysis. The median disease-free interval between surgery and recurrence was 78 months for transplantation vs. 24 months for resection (p < .001). The transplantation group had more multisite recurrences (12/25, 48% vs. 5/42, 12% in the resection group, p = .001), while most recurrences in the resection group were intra-hepatic (37/42, 88%, versus 2/25, 8% in the transplantation group). In conclusion, LT was associated with improved survival outcomes in NELM meeting the Milan criteria compared with LR.

Duodenal Gastric Metaplasia and Duodenal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: More Than a Simple Coincidence?

BACKGROUND: Duodenal gastric metaplasia (DGM) is considered a precancerous lesion. No data are available regarding its possible role as a risk factor for duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms (dNENs). AIMS: To assess the prevalence of DGM in a cohort of dNENs. METHODS: Subgroup analysis of a retrospective study including dNEN patients who underwent surgical resection between 2000 and 2019 and were observed at eight Italian tertiary referral centers. RESULTS: 109 dNEN patients were evaluated. Signs of DGM associated with the presence of dNEN were reported in 14 patients (12.8%). Among these patients, nine (64.4%) had a dNEN of the superior part of the duodenum, one (7.1%) a periampullary lesion, three (21.4%) a dNEN located in the second portion of the duodenum, with a different localization distribution compared to patients without DGM (p = 0.0332). Ten were G1, three G2, and in one patient the Ki67 was not available. In the group with DGM, six patients (35.7%) were classified at stage I, five (28.6%) at stage II, three (21.4%) at stage III, and no one at stage IV. In the group without DGM, 20 patients (31%) were at stage I, 15 (15%) at stage II, 42 (44%) at stage III, and 19 (20%) at stage IV (p = 0.0236). At the end of the study, three patients died because of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: our findings might suggest that DGM could represent a feature associated with the occurrence of dNEN, especially for forms of the superior part of the duodenum, which should be kept in mind in the endoscopic follow up of patients with DGM. Interestingly, dNEN inside DGM showed a more favorable staging, with no patients in stage IV. The actual relationship and the clinical relevance of this possible association require further clarification.

Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas: where are we?

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) can metastasize in approximately 15-20% of cases. This review discusses the available evidence on the biology and treatment of metastatic PPGLs. Chemotherapy is the first-line treatment option for this evolving and symptomatic disease. In patients with high MIBG uptake and positive PETGa-68, radiometabolic treatment may be considered. The efficacy of sunitinib has been shown in observational studies, and pembrolizumab has been evaluated in phase II clinical studies, while other agents investigated in this setting are anti-angiogenic drugs cabozantinib, dovitinib, axitinib and lenvatinib. As these agents' efficacy and safety data, alone or in combination, are scant and based on few treated patients, enrollment in clinical trials is mandatory. Future therapeutic options may be represented by DNA repair system inhibitors (such as olaparib), HIF2 inhibitors and immunotherapy.