Quantitative and qualitative analysis of stability for 16 serum immunoregulators over 50 freeze-thaw cycles.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability of data from the assay of bio-archived specimens, a 50-freeze-thaw-cycle (FTC) degradation study of fresh sera was conducted to test the stability of 16 immunoregulators. METHODS: Twenty de-identified serum specimens were obtained from volunteers at United Health Services-Wilson Memorial Hospital. Specimens were stored at -20°C and underwent daily 1 h thawing and subsequent freezing for each FTC over 50 consecutive days. Immunoregulator concentrations were assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in participant samples at 2 FTC (baseline), 25 FTC, and 50 FTC. Specific immunoregulators observed in the study were C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1α, 4, 6, 8, 10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-2 (MCP-2, CCL8), eotaxin-1, thymus-and-activation-regulated chemokine (TARC, CCL17), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES, CCL5), growth-regulated oncogene-alpha (GRO-α, CXCL1), small inducible cytokine A1 (I-309, CCL1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10, CXCL10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). RESULTS: Quantitative stability of serum immunoregulators: Serum CRP, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, IP-10, and eotaxin-1 levels appear to be statistically equivalent from baseline to 50 FTC (p ≤ .05). Retention of patterns in serum immunoregulators: patterns across FTC were retained for TARC (age) and CRP, IFN-γ, and MCP-2 (sex). CONCLUSIONS: While the effect of multiple FTC on serum immunoregulator levels may not replicate prolonged freezer storage, the results of this study provide valuable information on the robustness of immunoregulators for research using bio-archived sera.

Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis is associated with extrapancreatic organ failure, malignancy, and mortality in a prospective UK cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Type I autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-related SC) are now recognized as components of a multisystem IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). We aimed to define the clinical course and long-term outcomes in patients with AIP/IgG4-SC recruited from two large UK tertiary referral centers. METHODS: Data were collected from 115 patients identified between 2004 and 2013, and all were followed up prospectively from diagnosis for a median of 33 months (range 1-107), and evaluated for response to therapy, the development of multiorgan involvement, and malignancy. Comparisons were made with national UK statistics. RESULTS: Although there was an initial response to steroids in 97%, relapse occurred in 50% of patients. IgG4-SC was an important predictor of relapse (P<0.01). Malignancy occurred in 11% shortly before or after the diagnosis of IgG4-RD, including three hepatopancreaticobiliary cancers. The risk of any cancer at diagnosis or during follow-up when compared with matched national statistics was increased (odds ratio=2.25, CI=1.12-3.94, P=0.02). Organ dysfunction occurred within the pancreas, liver, kidney, lung, and brain. Mortality occurred in 10% of patients during follow-up. The risk of death was increased compared with matched national statistics (odds ratio=2.07, CI=1.07-3.55, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that AIP and IgG4-SC are associated with significant morbidity and mortality owing to extrapancreatic organ failure and malignancy. Detailed clinical evaluation for evidence of organ dysfunction and associated malignancy is required both at first presentation and during long-term follow-up.

Sporadic duodenal polyps: classification, investigation, and management.

Sporadic duodenal polyps are uncommon, being found in up to 5% of patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. They are often discovered incidentally and are usually asymptomatic. The histological subtype of polyps cannot always be determined on endoscopic appearance alone, and biopsy is advocated. The need for further imaging, endoscopic procedures, surgical resection, and surveillance is determined by the histological features, neoplastic potential and associated symptoms. This review describes the different subtypes of sporadic duodenal polyp: adenomas, hamartomas, gastric metaplasia, inflammatory fibroids, lipomas, leiomyomas, carcinoids, stromal tumors, solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyps, lymphomas, and other rare benign and malignant lesions. It describes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, investigation, management options, and screening and surveillance strategies for each, based on current evidence.

Immunoglobulin G4 related chronic sclerosing sialadenitis.

BACKGROUND: ENT surgeons may be the first specialists to encounter and diagnose patients with salivary gland disease. A new entity involving the salivary glands has recently been described of which ENT surgeons need to be aware: immunoglobulin G4 related chronic sclerosing sialadenitis. METHOD: A literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed, using the search terms 'IgG4', 'hyperIgG4 syndrome' and 'IgG4 related chronic sclerosing sialadenitis'. RESULTS: Knowledge concerning immunoglobulin G4 related chronic sclerosing sialadenitis is rapidly increasing. This new entity is part of a fibro-inflammatory corticosteroid-responsive systemic disease (immunoglobulin G4 related disease) and has been described in almost every organ. Biopsy of the submandibular gland can be diagnostic. However, the diagnosis can easily be overlooked if: clinical suspicion is not high, one is unaware of the classical morphology and/or immunoglobulin G4 staining is not performed. This paper presents a summary of the current understanding of the disease and its management. CONCLUSION: ENT surgeons should be aware of this new disease entity. Patients with systemic disease should be managed under a multidisciplinary team, with input from clinicians who have an interest in such diseases (such as gastroenterologists and rheumatologists), and input from histopathologists and radiologists.

A unique clinical phenotype of primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A distinct clinical phenotype has been demonstrated for ulcerative colitis with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The course and behaviour of Crohn's disease (CD) with PSC has, in contrast, never been defined. We aimed to define the characteristics of patients with concomitant PSC and CD. METHODS: The Oxford PSC and IBD databases were abstracted for: PSC subtype, date of diagnosis, symptom onset, smoking history, Mayo Clinic PSC score and outcomes (hepatic failure, liver transplantation, Montréal CD classification, treatment, cancer and death). Patients with PSC/CD were matched 1:2 to two control groups: one with PSC/UC and one with isolated CD. RESULTS: 240 patients with PSC were identified; 32 (13%) with CD, 129 (54%) with co-existing UC, and 79 had PSC without IBD. For PSC/CD vs. CD controls, isolated ileal CD was less common (6% vs. 31%, p=0.03). Smoking was less common in PSC/CD (13% vs. 34%, p=0.045). No difference in the distribution of CD, or treatment required was observed. For PSC/CD vs. PSC/UC controls, more patients with PSC/CD were female (50% vs. 28%, p=0.021). 22% of PSC/CD patients had small duct PSC compared with 6% with PSC/UC, (p=0.038). Major event-free survival was prolonged in the PSC/CD group compared with PSC/UC, (Cox regression p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Unlike PSC/UC, patients with PSC/CD were as likely to be female as male, more commonly had small duct PSC and less commonly progressed to cancer, liver transplantation, or death. Compared to patients with isolated CD, patients with PSC/CD were less likely to smoke or have ileal disease.

Systematic review: management options for primary sclerosing cholangitis and its variant forms - IgG4-associated cholangitis and overlap with autoimmune hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remains a challenging disease to manage. The main goals are prevention of disease progression and reduction of the increased cancer risk. AIMS: To review the management strategies for PSC and its variant forms based on published studies. METHODS: Publications were identified using Pubmed, Medline and Ovid search engines. RESULTS: Distinguishing PSC from variants, such as IgG4-associated cholangitis, and overlap with autoimmune hepatitis is essential to guide treatment decisions. There is no proven efficacious medical treatment for PSC. Ursodeoxycholic acid has been disappointing in low and moderate doses, and potentially dangerous in higher doses, although its role and optimal dose in chemoprevention requires investigation. The novel bile acid, 24-norursodeoxycholic acid, has shown promise in mouse models; human trials are in progress. Dominant strictures are optimally managed by dilatation and stenting to relieve obstructive complications, although exclusion of biliary malignancy is essential. Liver transplantation is the only proven therapy for those with advanced disease. Cholangiocarcinoma remains the most unpredictable and feared complication. In highly selected groups, neo-adjuvant chemoradiation with liver transplantation seems promising, but requires further validation. Screening for inflammatory bowel disease and surveillance for colorectal carcinoma should not be overlooked. CONCLUSIONS: The effective management of PSC and its variants is hindered by uncertainties regarding pathogenesis of disease and factors responsible for its progression. Genome studies may help to identify further targets for drug therapy and factors leading to malignant transformation.