Reconsidering resectable oncological conditions in pancreatic tail cancer: A multicenter retrospective study on prognostic factors in pancreatic tail cancer after resection (HOPS Pt-01).

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic tail cancer (Pt-PC) is generally considered resectable when metastasis is absent, but doubts persist in clinical practice due to the variability in local tumor extent. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study to comprehensively identify prognostic factors associated with Pt-PC after resection. METHODS: We enrolled 100 patients that underwent distal pancreatectomy. The optimal combination of factors influencing relapse-free survival (RFS) was determined using the maximum likelihood method (MLM) and corrected Akaike and Bayesian information criteria (AICc and BIC). Prognostic elements were then validated to predict oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Therapeutic interventions included neoadjuvant treatment in 16 patients and concomitant visceral resection (CVR) in 37 patients; 89 patients achieved R0. Median RFS and OS after surgery were 23.1 and 37.1 months, respectively. AICc/BIC were minimized in the model with ASA-PS (≥2), CA19-9 (≥112 U/mL at baseline, non-normalized postoperatively), need for CVR, 6 pathological items (tumor diameter ≥19.5 mm, histology G1, invasion of the anterior pancreatic border, splenic vein invasion, splenic artery invasion, lymph node metastasis), and completed adjuvant treatment (cAT) for RFS. Regarding the predictive value of these 11 factors, area under the curve was 0.842 for 5-year RFS. Multivariate analysis of these 11 factors showed that predictors of RFS include CVR (hazard ratio, 2.13; 95 % confidence interval, 1.08-4.19; p = 0.028) and cAT (0.38, 0.19-0.76; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The MLM identified certain Pt-PC cases warranting consideration beyond resectable during clinical management. Particular attention should be paid to conditions requiring CVR, even though immortal time bias remains unresolved with adjuvant treatment.

Probing RNA-Small Molecule Interactions Using Biophysical and Computational Approaches.

Interest in small molecules that target RNA is flourishing, and the expectation set on them to treat diseases with unmet medical needs is high. However, several challenges remain, including difficulties in selecting suitable tools and establishing workflows for their discovery. In this context, we optimized experimental and computational approaches that were previously employed for the protein targets. Here, we demonstrate that a fluorescence-based assay can be effectively used to screen small molecule libraries for their ability to bind and stabilize an RNA stem-loop. Our screen identified several fluoroquinolones that bind to the target stem-loop. We further probed their interactions with the target using biolayer interferometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results of these biophysical assays suggest that the fluoroquinolones bind the target in a similar manner. Armed with this knowledge, we built models for the complexes of the fluoroquinolones and the RNA target. Then, we performed fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations to dissect the interactions between the fluoroquinolones and the RNA. We found that the binding free energies obtained from the ITC experiments correlated strongly with the interaction energies calculated by FMO. Finally, we designed fluoroquinolone analogues and performed FMO calculations to predict their binding free energies. Taken together, the results of this study support the importance of conducting orthogonal assays in binding confirmation and compound selection and demonstrate the usefulness of FMO calculations in the rational design of RNA-targeted small molecules.

Laparoscopic Extended Left Lateral Sectionectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient with Right-Sided Ligamentum Teres: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Right-sided ligamentum teres (RSLT) is a rare anatomic variant in which the fetal umbilical vein connects to the right portal vein. Patients with RSLT frequently have hepatic vasculature and bile duct anomalies, which increase the risk of complications with hepatectomy. Most patients with RSLT undergo open hepatectomy. Herein, we describe a patient with RSLT and hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. The patient was a 69-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma located in the left liver based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging also demonstrated RSLT. Three-dimensional CT analysis revealed independent right lateral type anomalies of the portal vein and bile duct. A laparoscopic extended left lateral sectionectomy was performed after careful surgical planning. Ultrasonography was used frequently during surgery to avoid damaging the right hepatic vasculature. The left lateral and partial left median sections were removed as planned. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful. Avoiding injury to the right hepatic vasculature is essential when performing left lobectomy, including left lateral sectionectomy, in patients with RSLT. Laparoscopic hepatectomy can be performed safely in patients with RSLT, provided that careful surgical planning is conducted using preoperative three-dimensional CT analysis and intraoperative ultrasonography.

Successful Multidisciplinary Treatment with Laparoscopic Hepatectomy and Adjuvant Therapy for Metachronous Solitary Hepatic Metastasis after Excision of a Primary Anorectal Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report.

Anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is extremely rare and generally lethal, irrespective of the treatment administered. The disease is often diagnosed late, metastases being present in approximately two-thirds of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Solitary metastasis of ARMM to a distant organ is exceedingly rare. A 76-year-old woman with a history of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection of an ARMM 13 months previously, was found to have a solitary liver metastasis in the follow-up computed tomography. A preoperative work-up showed no other distant metastases nor contraindication to surgery. It was therefore considered that resection was indicated. The metachronous solitary liver metastasis from an ARMM was treated by laparoscopic wedge hepatectomy of the eighth segment 18 months after excision of her primary ARMM. Adjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab was initiated and continued at 6-week intervals. The patient has not exhibited any immune related Adverse Effects (irAE) during or subsequent to treatment with pembrolizmab and has now completed 12 months of adjuvant pembrolizumab therapy, having survived 33 months from the initial operation for primary ARMM, and remaining recurrence-free 14 months after hepatectomy. ARMM is extremely rare and resection of a metachronous solitary metastasis followed by adjuvant therapy has not previously been reported. We hope this case will be useful for clinicians who might treat similar patients.

Lymphoepithelioma-like cholangiocarcinoma not associated with Epstein-Barr virus or hepatitis virus: case report and literature review of 100 reported cases.

Lymphoepithelioma-like cholangiocarcinoma (LEL-CC) is a type of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) and a rare variant of primary liver tumor. Although it is uncommon and only 100 cases have been reported thus far, the number of reports has increased in recent years. LEL-CC reportedly occurs more frequently in Asian women; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and hepatitis viruses are both strongly associated with tumor development. Here, we describe a 76-year-old woman who exhibited LEL-CC not associated with EBV or hepatitis virus. She was referred to our department with a 3.0-cm × 2.8-cm tumor in the left lobe of the liver. Based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings, the tumor was preoperatively diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, we performed extended left hepatectomy with caudal lobectomy. Histopathological examinations revealed columnar tumor cells with atypical nuclei that proliferated in a cord-like or glandular tubular pattern with dense lymphocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemical analysis showed negative HepPar-1 and arginase findings, indicating non-hepatocyte origin; however, the biliary-type cytokeratins CK7 and CK19 were detected. Based on these findings, the tumor was identified as LEL-CC. EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization findings were negative; the patient's clinical characteristics were not suggestive of hepatitis virus infection. In conclusion, we suggest that clinicians consider LEL-CC as a differential diagnosis for liver tumors in Asian women, including patients without EBV or hepatitis virus.

Severe liver injury with traumatic cardiac arrest successfully treated by damage control surgery and transcatheter arterial embolization in the hybrid operating room: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The damage control approach is known to reduce the mortality rate in severely injured patients and has now become a common practice. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has been shown to be useful with combining with damage control laparotomy in identifying and controlling active arterial hemorrhage. Hybrid operating room (OR) allows both damaged control surgery and TAE in the same location in minimal time. We report a case of a patient with three cardiac arrests who was saved by early intervention using damage control surgery (DCS) with interventional radiology (IVR) in the hybrid OR. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old woman was injured in a collision with a tree while snowboarding. She was eventually transported to hybrid operating room in our hospital with the diagnosis of significant liver laceration and hemorrhagic shock. Damage control surgery was performed with perihepatic packing (PHP) and TAE was conducted to stop active bleeding from right hepatic artery. She experienced 3 times of cardiopulmonary arrest, which was successfully resuscitated on each occasion. Although she had total of 3 times of laparotomy but tolerated well. She was discharged on day 82 of hospitalization and showed no neurological sequelae. CONCLUSION: Saving the life of a patient with severe trauma requires a multidisciplinary approach with cooperation and early information sharing among trauma team members. Sharing treatment strategy with the trauma team and early intervention using DCS with IVR in the hybrid operating room could save the patient's life.

A case of insulinoma diagnosed postpartum with hypoglycemic symptoms that were masked during pregnancy.

The diagnosis of insulinoma in perinatal women can be difficult, as hypoglycemic symptoms may be masked by pregnancy-associated insulin resistance. In addition, when multiple insulinomas are observed, it is necessary to consider the possibility not only of MEN1, but also of insulinomatosis.

Conversion surgery for initially unresectable biliary malignancies: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Few studies have focused on conversion surgery for biliary malignancy; thus, it is not clear if this treatment modality can extend the survival of patients with unresectable biliary malignancy. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to evaluate the surgical outcomes of conversion surgery in this setting and analyze long-term survival. METHODS: We collected clinical data retrospectively on patients who underwent conversion surgery for biliary malignancy. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients met our inclusion criteria. Preoperative chemotherapy regimens or chemoradiation therapy regimens were administered based on the institutional criteria, and surgical procedures were chosen based on tumor location. Morbidity occurred in 16 patients (66.7%), and 1 patient died of liver failure after surgery. The overall 5-year survival rate following initial therapy was 43.2%, and the median survival time was 57.4 months. The corresponding values following surgery were 38.2% and 34.3 months, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the 24 patients who received both chemotherapy and surgery was significantly better than that of 110 patients treated with chemotherapy only (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Conversion surgery for initially unresectable biliary malignancies may be feasible and achieve long-term survival for selected patients.

Successful hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after lenvatinib treatment: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lenvatinib has been shown to be noninferior to sorafenib regarding prognosis and recurrence rate in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have not received prior systemic chemotherapy. In patients treated with lenvatinib, 40% of cases achieved sufficient tumor reduction to make potential surgery possible. However, the outcomes of such surgery are unknown. We report a successful case of hepatic resection for recurrent HCC after lenvatinib treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 69-year-old man underwent right anterior sectionectomy for HCC in segment 8 of the liver. Ten months later, he was found to have an intrahepatic HCC recurrence that grew rapidly to 10 cm in diameter with sternal bone metastases. After confirming partial response to lenvatinib administration for 2 mo, a second hepatectomy was performed. Pathological examination showed that 80% of the tumor was necrotic. The patient did not develop any adverse effects under lenvatinib treatment. He was discharged at 25 d after surgery. Radiation therapy for bone metastases continued to be given under lenvatinib, and the patient has remained alive for 1 year after the second hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of patients with recurrent HCC may be improved by liver resection combined with prior lenvatinib therapy.

Clinical Outcomes of Biliary Drainage during a Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer: Metal versus Plastic Stents.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy/neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NAC/NACRT) can be performed in patients with pancreatic cancer to improve survival. We aimed to clarify the clinical outcomes of biliary drainage with a metal stent (MS) or a plastic stent (PS) during NAC/NACRT. Between October 2013 and April 2016, 96 patients with pancreatic cancer were registered for NAC/NACRT. Of these, 29 patients who underwent biliary drainage with MS or PS before NAC/NACRT and a subsequent pancreatoduodenectomy were retrospectively analyzed with regard to patient characteristics, preoperative recurrent biliary obstruction rate, NAC/NACRT delay or discontinuation rate, and operative characteristics. The median age of the patients was 67 years. NAC and NACRT were performed in 14 and 15 patients, respectively, and MS and PS were used in 17 and 12 patients, respectively. Recurrent biliary obstruction occurred in 6% and 83% of the patients in the MS and PS groups, respectively (p<0.001). NAC/NACRT delay was observed in 35% and 50% of the patients in the MS and PS groups, respectively (p=0.680). NAC/NACRT discontinuation was observed in 12% and 17% of the patients in the MS and PS groups, respectively (p=1.000). The operative time in the MS group tended to be longer than that in the PS group (625 minutes vs 497 minutes, p=0.051), and the operative blood loss volumes and postoperative adverse event rates were not different between the two groups. MS was better than PS from the viewpoint of preventing recurrent biliary obstruction, although MS was similar to PS with regards to perioperative outcomes.

Long-term growth of intrahepatic papillary neoplasms: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a type of tumor that presents in the intra- or extrahepatic bile ducts. Cystic-type intrahepatic IPNB often mimics simple liver cysts, making the diagnosis difficult. Because the growth of IPNB is slow, careful follow-up and timely therapeutic intervention is recommended. There are few reports with a follow-up period longer than a decade; thus, we report the case of a patient with an IPNB that grew for over 13 years. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old man was diagnosed, 13 years prior with a cystic hepatic tumor with abnormal imaging findings. The targeted tumor biopsy results showed no malignancy. Biannual follow-up examinations were performed because of the potential for malignancy. The cystic lesions showed gradual enlargement over 11 years and a 4 mm papillary proliferation appeared on the cyst wall, which is compatible with IPNB. The tumor was observed for another 2 years because of the patient's wishes. The imaging findings showed enlargement to 8 mm and a new 9 mm papillary proliferation of the cystic tumor. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed hyperenhancement during the arterial phase in both cyst walls, indicating intraductal tumor progression in both tumors. Thus, liver segment 8 subsegmentectomy was performed. The pathological findings indicated that the tumors contained mucin, and high-grade atypia was observed in the papillary lesions, showing IPNB. CONCLUSION: The development of IPNB should be monitored in patients with cystic lesions and ultrasonography are useful tool for the evaluation.

Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Alkylidene-ß-Lactams through Copper Catalysis with a Prolinol-Phosphine Chiral Ligand.

A copper/prolinol-phosphine chiral catalyst enabled the one-step synthesis of chiral α-alkylidene-ß-lactams. Optimization of the chiral ligand for steric and electronic properties realized the highly enantioselective coupling of nitrones and propargyl alcohol derived alkynes. The resulting chiral α-alkylidene-ß-lactams served as a platform for various ß-lactams via well-established transformations of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

Health-related quality of life of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 versus gemcitabine for resected pancreatic cancer: Results from a randomised phase III trial (JASPAC 01).

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for resected pancreatic cancer demonstrated survival benefits compared with gemcitabine in the JASPAC 01 trial. We investigated the effect of these agents on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients in the JASPAC 01 trial. METHODS: Patients with resected pancreatic cancer were randomly assigned to receive gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 weekly for three of four weeks for up to six cycles) or S-1 (40, 50, or 60 mg twice daily for four of six weeks for up to four cycles). HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D) questionnaire at baseline, months three and six, and every 6 months thereafter. HRQOL end-points included change in EQ-5D index from baseline, responses to five items in the EQ-5D, and quality-adjusted life months up to 24 months. RESULTS: Of randomised 385 patients, 354 patients were included in HRQOL analysis. Mean change in the EQ-5D index was similar in the S-1 and gemcitabine groups within 6 months from treatment initiation (difference, 0.024; P = 0.112), whereas corresponding mean from 12 to 24 months was better in the S-1 group than in the gemcitabine group (difference, 0.071; P < 0.001). Problems in mobility and pain/discomfort were also less frequent in the S-1 group than in the gemcitabine group in that period. Quality-adjusted life months were longer in the S-1 group than in the gemcitabine group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 does not improve HRQOL within 6 months from treatment initiation but does improve HRQOL thereafter and quality-adjusted life months. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000000655 at UMIN CTR.

Effects of diesel exhaust-derived secondary organic aerosol (SOA) on oocytes: Potential risks to meiotic maturation.

Particulate air pollution (PM 2.5) is a worldwide concern. Growing epidemiological evidence has shown pathophysiological effects of PM 2.5, not only on cardiovascular system but also on reproductive performance. The composition and physicochemical properties of PM 2.5 vary depending on the emission sources, climate conditions, and complex chemical reactions in the air. These factors make it difficult to understand the cause and mechanistic details of the adverse health effects of PM 2.5. Here, we show potential impacts of PM 2.5 on oocyte maturation in mice by utilizing diesel exhaust-derived secondary organic aerosol (SOA), a major component of urban PM 2.5. We found that the SOA destabilized microtubules of mouse oocytes and p-benzoquinone is one of the candidates for the microtubule-destabilizing compounds. We propose that some biologically reactive components of PM 2.5 should be prioritized for the regulation of atmospheric quality.

Cerebral Infarction by Paradoxical Gas Embolism During Laparoscopic Liver Resection with Injury of the Hepatic Vessels in a Patient without a Right-to-Left Systemic Shunt.

BACKGROUND Carbon dioxide (CO2) is believed to be the safest gas for laparoscopic surgery, which is a standard procedure. We experienced severe cerebral infarction caused by paradoxical CO2 embolism during laparoscopic liver resection with injury of the hepatic vessels despite the absence of a right-to-left systemic shunt. CASE REPORT A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in the right hepatic lobe secondary to alcoholic liver disease. We planned the laparoscopy-assisted liver resection. During the surgery, the root of the right hepatic vein was injured. A 1.5-cm hole was accidentally made in the right hepatic vein, while mobilizing the right hepatic lobe laparoscopically. End-tidal CO2 dropped from 39 to 15.5 mmHg, and systemic blood pressure dropped from 121 to 45 mmHg, returning to normal with the administration of inotropes. The transesophageal echocardiography revealed numerous bubbles in the left atrium and ventricle. The Bispectral Index monitoring system showed low brain activity, suggesting cerebral infarction due to paradoxical gas embolism. The hepatectomy was completed by conversion to open laparotomy. The patient went into a coma and suffered quadriplegia after surgery, despite the cooling of his head and the administration of Thiamylal. Brain MRI revealed cerebral infarction in the broad area of the cerebral cortex right side predominantly, with poor blood flow confirmed by the brain perfusion single-photon emission CT. Rehabilitation was gradually achieved with Botox injections. CONCLUSIONS Cerebral infarction by paradoxical gas embolism is a rare complication in laparoscopic surgery, but it is important to be aware of the risk and to be prepared to treat it.

Successful surgical treatment for huge retroperitoneal liposarcoma involving the pancreas, right kidney, abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava.

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma is a rare neoplasm that often involves other organs and major blood vessels. Complete surgical resection with negative margins is the only potential curative treatment. Here, we report the case of a patient with a large retroperitoneum liposarcoma that was removed by resection of the descending abdominal aorta and infrahepatic inferior vena cava, right nephrectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy following creation of an extra anatomical femoro-femoral crossover bypass after left axillo-left femoral bypass. The patient developed leg edema for a few weeks after surgery but this condition was gradually resolved with diuretics. Otherwise, no serious postoperative complication was observed, and the patient was discharged at 37 days after surgery. There has been no evidence of recurrence for 16 months. In conclusion, radical surgical resection is a possible therapeutic option for retroperitoneal liposarcoma involving major vessels or other organs, and may improve survival if negative resection margins can be achieved.

Adjuvant chemotherapy of S-1 versus gemcitabine for resected pancreatic cancer: a phase 3, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial (JASPAC 01).

BACKGROUND: Although adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine is standard care for resected pancreatic cancer, S-1 has shown non-inferiority to gemcitabine for advanced disease. We aimed to investigate the non-inferiority of S-1 to gemcitabine as adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer in terms of overall survival. METHODS: We did a randomised, open-label, multicentre, non-inferiority phase 3 trial undertaken at 33 hospitals in Japan. Patients who had histologically proven invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas, pathologically documented stage I-III, and no local residual or microscopic residual tumour, and were aged 20 years or older were eligible. Patients with resected pancreatic cancer were randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) to receive gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2), intravenously administered on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks [one cycle], for up to six cycles) or S-1 (40 mg, 50 mg, or 60 mg according to body-surface area, orally administered twice a day for 28 days followed by a 14 day rest, every 6 weeks [one cycle], for up to four cycles) at the data centre by a modified minimisation method, balancing residual tumour status, nodal status, and institutions. The primary outcome was overall survival in the two treatment groups, assessed in the per-protocol population, excluding ineligible patients and those not receiving the allocated treatment. The protocol prespecified that the superiority of S-1 with respect to overall survival was also to be assessed in the per-protocol population by a log-rank test, if the non-inferiority of S-1 was verified. We estimated overall and relapse-free survival using the Kaplan-Meier methods, and assessed non-inferiority of S-1 to gemcitabine using the Cox proportional hazard model. The expected hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 0.87 with a non-inferiority margin of 1.25 (power 80%; one-sided type I error 2.5%). This trial is registered at UMIN CTR (UMIN000000655). FINDINGS: 385 patients were randomly assigned to treatment between April 11, 2007, and June 29, 2010 (193 to the gemcitabine group and 192 to the S-1 group). Of these, three were exlcuded because of ineligibility and five did not receive chemotherapy. The per-protocol population therefore consisted of 190 patients in the gemcitabine group and 187 patients in the S-1 group. On Sept 15, 2012, following the recommendation from the independent data and safety monitoring committee, this study was discontinued because the prespecified criteria for early discontinuation were met at the interim analysis for efficacy, when all the protocol treatments had been finished. Analysis with the follow-up data on Jan 15, 2016, showed HR of mortality was 0.57 (95% CI 0.44-0.72, pnon-inferiority<0.0001, p<0.0001 for superiority), associated with 5-year overall survival of 24.4% (18.6-30.8) in the gemcitabine group and 44.1% (36.9-51.1) in the S-1 group. Grade 3 or 4 leucopenia, neutropenia, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were observed more frequently in the gemcitabine group, whereas stomatitis and diarrhoea were more frequently experienced in the S-1 group. INTERPRETATION: Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 can be a new standard care for resected pancreatic cancer in Japanese patients. These results should be assessed in non-Asian patients. FUNDING: Pharma Valley Center, Shizuoka Industrial Foundation, Taiho Pharmaceutical.

Metachronous pancreatic cancer originating from disseminated founder pancreatic intraductal neoplasias (PanINs).

Clonal populations originated from benign-looking 'founder cells' may spread widely within pancreas instead of being localized in situ before frank pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) can be detected. Metachronous PDA is not common event, and we here sought to define potent origin of multiple PDAs developed in a woman using advanced genetics technologies. Curative resection of pancreatic head tumour was performed; however, 'recurrent' lesions in the remnant pancreas were found 3.5 years later and total pancreatectomy was subsequently performed. The metachronous lesions were morphologically similar to the primary PDA. Using a next-generation sequencing and digital PCR, all three PDAs were shown to possess rare somatic mutations in KRAS (p.T58I & p.Q61H). Curiously, identical KRAS mutations were found in low-grade 'intraepithelial' lesions, which localized in normal area of the pancreas and one of them possessed p53 mutation, which was also found in the PDAs. The footprint of the tumour evolution marked by mutational profiling supports a human correlate to the mouse models of 'dissemination' occurring at the earliest stages of pancreatic neoplasia.

Clinicopathological features of small nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

AIM: To present our experiences in studying the clinicopathological features of small nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-pNETs). METHODS: The subjects included 9 patients with NF-pNETs who underwent pancreatectomy between April 1996 and September 2012. The surgical procedure, histopathological findings, and prognosis were assessed. RESULTS: All tumors were incidentally detected by computed tomography. The median diameter was 10 mm (5-32 mm). One patient was diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau disease, and the others were sporadic cases. For the histopathological findings, 7 patients were G1; 1 patient was G2; and 1 patient, whose tumor was 22 mm, had neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). One patient who had a tumor that was 32 mm had direct invasion to a regional lymph node and 1 patient with NEC, had regional lymph node metastases. Six of the 7 patients with sporadic NF-pNETs, excluding the patient with NEC, had tumors that were smaller than 10 mm. Tumors smaller than 10 mm showed no malignancy and lacked lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Sporadic NF-pNETs smaller than 10 mm tend to have less malignant potential. These findings suggest that lymphadenectomy may be omitted for small NF-pNETs after further investigation.

Hepatic clearance measured with (99m)Tc-GSA single-photon emission computed tomography to estimate liver fibrosis.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical utility of hepatic clearance (HC) measured with technetium-99m-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin ((99m)Tc-GSA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to estimate the degree of liver fibrosis. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent initial hepatectomy due to hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Indocyanine green clearance (ICG R15), quantitative indices estimated by (99m)Tc-GSA [the receptor index (LHL15 and HH15) and HC via SPECT analysis], and conventional liver function tests were performed before hepatectomy. Correlations among the quantitative indices for liver functional reserve, conventional liver function tests, and the degree of liver fibrosis were evaluated. RESULTS: The degree of liver fibrosis was correlated with ICG R15, HH15, LHL15, and HC. HC showed the best correlation with conventional liver function tests. According to multivariate analysis, HC and LHL15 were significant independent predictors of severe fibrosis. HC was the most valuable index for predicting severe fibrosis. CONCLUSION: HC measured with (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT is a reliable index for assessing liver fibrosis before hepatectomy.