Unexpected long-term survival of Stage IV pancreatic cancer patient with synchronic liver metastases after multimodal therapy including upfront surgery.

We report the case of a 56-year-old male with pancreatic cancer and 25 liver metastases. The patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy with 11 metastasectomies in the left liver lobe. Histological examination demonstrated a moderately differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma with pT3N0M1, Stage IVb. Three weeks later, we performed transarterial chemoembolization for the right lobe of the liver, and after 6 weeks we started systemic chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX. After 31 months, computer tomography examination showed increases in size of the remaining lesions at segment VII/VIII of the right lobe. All liver metastases were surgically removed and a new chemotherapy was initiated. Nevertheless, after 40 months the patient developed two brain metastases. One was surgically resected and the smaller lesion was treated by gamma knife. Unfortunately, the patient died 42 months after the first presentation. Conclusively, in very selected patients with synchronic liver metastasis, multimodal treatment including repeated surgery, TACE and chemotherapy may prolong survival.

Hepatic and portal vein transection by vascular stapler in open living donor hepatectomy - A retrospective cohort study.

Background: In an effort to increase donor safety in living donor liver transplantation, the utilization of vascular staplers for the division of the right portal and hepatic veins in patients undergoing right lobe liver donation for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was implemented. In here we report our experience with vascular staplers in patients undergoing LDLT and evaluate the subsequent feasibility and safety for donors. Material and methods: 17 cases of living donor liver transplant were retrospectively analyzed. The right portal vein was transected directly at the bifurcation of the main portal vein, the right hepatic vein was resected directly at the wall of the inferior vena cava using a vascular stapler device. Results: We registered a complication rate of 41.2% (7 donors). According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, grade II and grade III complications were each observed in 5.9% and grade IIIb complications in 29.4%, whereas catastrophic bleeding, complications with residual disability or the necessity of re-laparatomy did not occur. Upon 6 weeks, all donors were able to return to their previous occupation in fully recovered condition. Conclusions: The utilization of vascular staplers in donors during open LDLT presents an encouraging alternative to manual over-sewing of vascular stumps. Apart from its timesaving aspect, the technique reduces the potential risk of life-threatening clamp slippage with subsequent uncontrolled blood loss.

Reduction in Tamoxifen Metabolites Endoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen With Chronic Administration of Low Dose Cannabidiol: A CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 Drug Interaction.

BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD) serves as a promising medicine, with few known adverse effects apart from the potential of drug interactions with the cytochrome P450 system. It has been hypothesized drug interactions may occur with chemotherapeutic agents, but no supporting evidence has been published to date. CASE: A 58-year-old female with a history of bilateral breast carcinoma in remission, was treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention for over 6 years. CBD was instituted to treat persistent postsurgical pain, inadequately managed by alternate analgesics. It was postulated that CBD may diminish tamoxifen metabolism by CYP3A4 and 2D6 to form active metabolite endoxifen, which exerts the anticancer benefits. Endoxifen, tamoxifen, N-desmetyltamoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen levels were collected while the patient chronically received CBD 40 mg/day, and after a 60-day washout. Upon discontinuation of CBD 40 mg/day, it was observed that endoxifen levels increased by 18.75% and N-desmethyltamoxifen by 9.24%, while 4-hydroxytamoxifen remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: CBD at a low dose of 40 mg/day resulted in the potential inhibition of CYP3A4 and/or CYP2D6. Patients receiving CBD and interacting chemotherapeutic drugs, such as tamoxifen, require monitoring to identify possible subtherapeutic response to treatment. Further pharmacokinetic studies are required to ascertain the dynamics of this drug interaction.

Early Hepatic Artery Thrombosis After Living Donor Liver Transplant: A 13-Year Single-Center Experience in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: Early hepatic artery thrombosis is a serious complication that may follow living donor liver transplant. Acute graft loss and patient morbidity and mortality are possible consequences. The therapeutic algorithm includes surgical or interventional revascularization, conservative approaches, or retransplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 155 patients who underwent living donor liver transplant at our transplant center from 2004 to 2020, there were 5 who developed hepatic artery thrombosis. From our 13- year experience, we herein present their demographic and clinical characteristics, radiological imaging findings, perioperative courses, and the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: All patients displayed advanced liver disease with a Child-Pugh score of C and a mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 32. Underlying causes for end-stage liver disease included hepatitis B and C infection and cryptogenic liver cirrhosis. The mean patient age was 49 years; 2 patients were female. Living donor liver transplant was performed with donor tissue from immediate kin, according to Jordanian allocation rules. The diagnosis of hepatic artery thrombosis was made by Doppler ultrasonography and confirmed via computed tomography. After surgical revision of the anastomosis, our first patient experienced thrombotic recurrence. All patients received interventional catheterization with local thrombolysis and subsequently developed rethrombosis. Despite prevalent thrombosis, 4 patients achieved long-term survival without further deterioration of liver function. Cumulative 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates were 80%, 80%, and 60%, respectively. Spontaneous recanalization of the hepatic artery was observed in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable long-term outcomes are achievable in patients with persistent hepatic artery thrombosis. When retransplant is not feasible and interventional approaches fail, conservative treatment with careful observation of liver function should be implemented. Attentive observation of collateral circulation toward the liver, distal of the thrombosis, may be beneficial to both graft and patient survival.

Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this pre-post session study, was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led education session on the perceived benefits and safety of cannabis among patients with chronic pain, as well as determine the influence of pharmacist education on the selection of safer cannabis products and dosage forms for medical use among patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of completed pre-post session questionnaires was conducted among chronic pain patients attending a mandatory education session led by a pharmacist, prior to being authorized cannabis in clinic. All questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS v. 25. Demographic and sample characteristics were reviewed using univariate analyses. Chi-Square tests were employed to determine if the group-based education significantly affected knowledge, perception of efficacy and safety of cannabis. RESULTS: Of the 260 session participants, 203 completed pre-post session questionnaires. After the session, a majority of current cannabis users (33.8%) and cannabis naïve/past users (56.9%) reported they would use a low THC product in the future, and a majority of current users (54.5%) would use a high CBD product in the future. After education, participants were more likely to report cannabis as having the potential for addiction (chi-square =42.6, p <0.0001) and harm (chi-square =34.0, p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist counselling and education has the potential to influence patient selection and use of cannabis, from more harmful to safer products, as well as moderate the potential perceived benefits of use.

Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis

OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this pre-post session study, was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led education session on the perceived benefits and safety of cannabis among patients with chronic pain, as well as determine the influence of pharmacist education on the selection of safer cannabis products and dosage forms for medical use among patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of completed pre-post session questionnaires was conducted among chronic pain patients attending a mandatory education session led by a pharmacist, prior to being authorized cannabis in clinic. All questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS V. 25. Demographic and sample characteristics were reviewed using univariate analyses. Chi-Square tests were employed to determine if the group-based education significantly affected knowledge, perception of efficacy and safety of cannabis. RESULTS: Of the 260 session participants, 203 completed pre-post session questionnaires. After the session, a majority of current cannabis users (33.8%) and cannabis naïve/past users (56.9%) reported they would use a low THC product in the future, and a majority of current users (54.5%) would use a high CBD product in the future. After education, participants were more likely to report cannabis as having the potential for addiction (chi-square =42.6, p <0.0001) and harm (chi-square =34.0, p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist counselling and education has the potential to influence patient selection and use of cannabis, from more harmful to safer products, as well as moderate the potential perceived benefits of use

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