Circulating miRNA-202-3p is a potential novel biomarker for diagnosis of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no circulating diagnostic biomarkers for gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs). In previous studies, we found that miRNA-202-3p is overexpressed in the tumour tissue of type 1 g-NEN. We speculated that miRNA-202-3p is also likely to be highly expressed in circulating blood. METHODS: A total of 27 patients with type 1 g-NEN and 27 age- and sex-matched control participants were enrolled in this study. The miRNA-202-3p levels in serum obtained from the participants were measured by qRT-PCR. The expression level of miRNA-202-3p in the samples was calculated by comparison with a standard curve. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the patients were similar to those of the patient samples in previous reports. Expression of miRNA-202-3p was significantly higher in the patient group (3.84 × 107 copies/nl) than in the control group (0.635 × 107 copies/nl). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.878 (95% CI: 0.788-0.968), and the optimal cut-off point was approximately 1.12 × 107 copies/nl. The sensitivity and specificity were 88.9% and 77.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that miRNA-202-3p is potentially useful as a biomarker of type 1 g-NEN; further investigation and verification should be performed in future research.

Clinicopathological characteristics and risk factors for recurrence of well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors after radical surgery: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) usually have a good prognosis; however, there are patients that experience recurrence after curative resection. AIM: To explore recurrence-related risk factors by analyzing clinicopathological data of PanNETs after radical surgery. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data from 47 patients with well-differentiated PanNETs at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2012 to March 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the risk factors of PanNETs for postoperative recurrence were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 47 patients with well-differentiated PanNETs, there were 38 cases with non-functioning tumors, 9 cases with functional tumors (6 insulinomas, 1 gastrinoma, 1 glucagonoma, and 1 VIPomas). There are 17 cases (36.2%) in the pancreatic head, 17 (36.2%) in the body and tail, 9 (19.1%) in the tail, and 4 (8.5%) in the body. The median tumor size was 3.65 (IQR 2-5.5) cm. Fourteen cases (29.8%) were NET G1, and 33 cases (70.2%) were NET G2. In regard to the clinical stage, 9 (19.1%) cases were IA, 14 (29.8%) cases were IB, 7 (14.9%) cases were IIA, 14 (29.8%) cases were IIB, and 3 cases unknown. There were 17 patients who presented with postoperative recurrence. Univariate analysis showed that AJCC TNM staging, Ki67 index, vascular invasion, margin status, and the regional stage of the tumors are related to the recurrence of patients with PanNETs (p < 0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that Ki67 index ≥ 10% is an independent risk factor for the postoperative recurrence of PanNETs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Ki67 index ≥ 10% is an independent risk factor for recurrence in well-differentiated PanNETs after radical surgery, and close surveillance for these patients may be needed.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of 77 cases with type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumours.

BACKGROUND: For the rarity of type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumours (g-NETs), their clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis are not well illustrated. AIM: To describe the clinicopathological features and outcome of type 3 g-NETs in the Chinese population. METHODS: Based on the 2019 WHO pathological classification, the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with type 3 g-NETs in China were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients (55.8% of females) with type 3 g-NETs were analysed, with a median age of 48 years (range: 28-79 years). The tumours were mainly located in the gastric fundus/body (83.1%) and were mostly solitary (83.1%), with a median size of 1.5 cm (0.8-3.5 cm). Of these, there were 37 G1 tumours (48.1%), 31 G2 (40.3%), and 9 G3 (11.7%). Ten (13.0%) and 24 (31.2%) patients had lymph node and distant metastasis, respectively. In addition, type 3 g-NETs were heterogeneous. Compared with G1 NETs, G2 NETs had a higher lymph node metastasis rate, and G3 NETs had a higher distant metastasis rate. G1 and G2 NETs with stage I/II disease (33/68) received endoscopic treatment, and no tumour recurrence or tumour-related death was observed within a median follow-up time of 36 mo. Grade and distant metastasis were identified to be independent risk factors for prognosis in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Type 3 g-NETs are obviously heterogeneous, and the updated WHO 2019 pathological classification may be used to effectively evaluate their biological behaviors and prognosis. Also, endoscopic treatment should be considered for small (< 2 cm), low grade, superficial tumours.