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Background: Epidemiological studies demonstrate that the incidence of CRC in young adults is continually rising in both Europe and the USA. The differences between the spatial distribution of immune related markers (IRM) and their prognostic role in EOmCRC compared to late onset (LOmCRC) remains to be elucidated. Methods: Forty paraffin embedded formalin fixed unstained sections from patients (pts) diagnosed with either EOmCRC (≤45) or (≥50) LOmCRC, matched for chemotherapy (chx) and molecular features, all with microsatellite stable disease were included. All tissue samples were obtained from pts enrolled in SPECTAcolor (EORTC-40CRC-GITCG) platform trial. The expression of IRM was studied using the GeoMX Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP). Fifty-seven IRMs were used and three morphology markers (MMs) anti-CD45, pan-cytokeratin and SYTO 13. Three 300 μm regions of interest (ROIs) were selected within the core of the tumour and further 3 ROIs within the active margin of the tumour. Each ROI was segmented based on MMs to obtain a tumour microenvironment (TME) and a tumour (T) mask. The analysis used the GeoMX DSP Advanced Analysis Suite software, R and IBM SPSS. Control for multiple comparisons use a false discovery rate (FDR) threshold of 0.05. Results: Samples from 40 pts were collected; 19 (47.5%) were EOmCRCs; 16 (40%) were female; 23 (57.5%) with pathological stage IV. The majority being, 23 (57.5%) grade ≥ 2, left sided 26 (65%), oxaliplatin based first line chx 23 (57.5%). Ten (25%) were KRAS mutant (mt), 1 (2.5%) NRAS mt and 1 (2.5%) BRAF mt. The median overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) for the entire cohort was 36.6 months (m) 95%CI (33.5 - 39.7) and 11.7 m (8.1 - 15.3), respectively.The Conclusion: Differential expression analysis of IRMs found IDO1 as differentially expressed in both segments (T and TME). Furthermore, high IDO1 expression seemed to have a dual prognostic role depending on the segment analysed, showing worse OS when found in the tumour but better OS when found in tumour microenvironment for early onset mCRC. Citation Format: Raghavendar Thyagaraja Nagaraju, Jakub Franczak, Markus Möhler, Elisa Fontana, Anne Giraut, Lieve Dirix, Jose Casas-Martin, Beatrice Borelli, Florian Lordick, Elizabeth Smith, Sabine Tejpar, Gunnar Folprecht, Jorge Barriuso. Spatial characterization of immune microenvironment from early onset metastatic colorectal cancer (EOmCRC) showed a dual prognostic role for IDO1 expression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6770.

Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastric Cancer. Carcinomas of the stomach and esophagogastric junction are among the most frequent causes of death due to cancer worldwide. Despite curative resection, patients at early stages (II–III) show poor 5-year survival with a high risk for local recurrence, lymphogenic micrometastases, or distant metastases. In addition, the incidence of upper gastric and lower esophageal cancer has increased in recent years. Because of several positive changes correlated to early diagnosis and better treatment options, gastric cancer is a renewed challenge to many doctors and medical societies, particu larly for interdisciplinary teams. The article discusses the importance of improved diagnosis as well as perioperative und palliative therapies as they have been presented in the recent new German S3 guideline. J Gastroenterol Hepatol Erkr 2014; 12 (2): 10–6.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (iCCAs) may be subdivided into large and small duct types that differ in etiology, molecular alterations, therapy, and prognosis. Therefore, the optimal iCCA subtyping is crucial for the best possible patient outcome. In our study, we analyzed 148 small and 84 large duct iCCAs regarding their clinical, radiological, histological, and immunohistochemical features. Only 8% of small duct iCCAs, but 27% of large duct iCCAs, presented with initial jaundice. Ductal tumor growth pattern and biliary obstruction were significant radiological findings in 33% and 48% of large duct iCCAs, respectively. Biliary epithelial neoplasia and intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct were detected exclusively in large duct type iCCAs. Other distinctive histological features were mucin formation and periductal-infiltrating growth pattern. Immunohistochemical staining against CK20, CA19-9, EMA, CD56, N-cadherin, and CRP could help distinguish between the subtypes. To summarize, correct subtyping of iCCA requires an interplay of several factors. While the diagnosis of a precursor lesion, evidence of mucin, or a periductal-infiltrating growth pattern indicates the diagnosis of a large duct type, in their absence, several other criteria of diagnosis need to be combined.

Background and Aims: Nutritional support (NS) in patients with malignancies and malnutrition improves outcome and treatment tolerance. The underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. We aimed to investigate for the first time the influence of an early individualized NS in newly diagnosed patients with gastrointestinal/hepato-pancreatic malignancies and malnutrition on DNA damage, oxidative stress and subclinical inflammation. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 43 patients with newly diagnosed malignancies and malnutrition. At baseline (F0), we documented patients’ data, oncological diagnosis, comorbidities, alcohol/ nicotine consume. Nutritional parameters, DNA damage [histone-variant H2AX phosphorylated on the 139-serine residue (γ-H2AX) foci/cell], oxidative status, subclinical inflammation were measured. During diagnostic workup, patients received an individualized NS, and got a follow-up before the start of treatment (F1), (n=21). Healthy controls (n=21) were included for comparison of DNA damage at baseline. Results: γ-H2AX-values at baseline were higher than in controls (p

Valid HER2 testing is essential for optimal therapy of patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer and the correct use of first-line chemotherapy. While testing for HER2 status in breast cancer is routinely performed, this is not the case for HER2 testing in gastric cancer and it is usually only performed on clinician request. An interdisciplinary German expert group (pathologists and clinicians) took the challenges of HER2 testing in gastric cancer as an opportunity to address essential aspects and questions for the practical use of HER2 testing in this indication. The recommendations made in this manuscript reflect the consensus of all participants and reflect their opinions and long-term experience in this field.

Contains fulltext : 207090.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Multimodal primary treatment of localised adenocarcinoma of the stomach, the oesophagus and the oesophagogastric junction (AEG) was reviewed by a multidisciplinary expert panel in a moderated consensus session. Here, we report the key points of the discussion and the resulting recommendations. The exact definition of the tumour location and extent by white light endoscopy in conjunction with computed tomography scans is the backbone for any treatment decision. Their value is limited with respect to the infiltration depth, lymph node involvement and peritoneal involvement. Additional endoscopic ultrasound was recommended mainly for tumours of the lower oesophagogastric junction (i.e. AEG type II and III according to Siewert) and in early cancers before endoscopic resection. Laparoscopy to diagnose peritoneal involvement was thought to be necessary before the start of neoadjuvant treatment in all gastric cancers and in AEG type II and III. In general, perioperative multimodal treatment was suggested for all locally advanced oesophageal tumours and for gastric cancers with a clinical stage above T1N0. There was consensus that the combination of fluorouracil, folinic acid, oxaliplatin and docetaxel is now a new standard chemotherapy (CTx) regimen for fit patients. In contrast, the optimal choice of perioperative CTx versus neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (neoRCTx), especially for AEG, was identified as an open question. Expert treatment recommendations depend on the tumour location, biology, the risk of incomplete (R1) resection, response to treatment, local or systemic recurrence risks, the predicted perioperative morbidity and patients' comorbidities. In summary, any treatment decision requires an interdisciplinary discussion in a comprehensive multidisciplinary setting.

Oral fluoropyrimidines have been available for more than 10 years. Capecitabine is well established in treating solid tumors in Europe. S-1 (Teysuno®), an oral formulation containing the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug tegafur and the two enzyme modulators gimeracil and oteracil, has not been available in non-Asia countries until recently. In Japan, S-1 in combination with cisplatin is the recommended first-line treatment in patients with gastric cancer. In Europe, the first trials with S-1 were disappointing due to high unacceptable incidences of adverse events. Pharmacokinetic studies showed differences in Asian and Caucasian patients; therefore, a new non-Asian study program was initiated, which led to the pivotal phase 3 trial First-Line Advanced Gastric Cancer Study (FLAGS). In FLAGS, 1,053 patients with advanced gastric cancer from 24 non-Asian countries were enrolled. S-1 plus cisplatin showed no overall survival (OS) benefit when compared to 5-FU plus cisplatin. The primary endpoint superior OS was not met but better tolerability was shown. A post hoc noninferiority OS and safety analysis showed that S-1 plus cisplatin has the same efficacy as 5-FU plus cisplatin but a more favorable safety profile. This led to the approval of S-1 in combination with cisplatin in gastric cancer in Europe in 2011. This article reviews the mode of action of S-1, pivotal study results from an EU point of view, and future perspectives.

Background:Gastric cancer is common malignancy and exhibits a poor prognosis. At the time of diagnosis, the majority of patients present with metastatic disease which precludes curative treatment. Non-invasive biomarkers which discriminate early from advanced stages or predict the response to treatment are urgently required. This study explored the cytokeratin-18 fragment M30 and full-length cytokeratin-18 M65 in predicting treatment response and survival in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of advanced gastric cancer.Methods:Patients enrolled in the SUN-CASE study received sunitinib or placebo as an adjunct to standard therapy with leucovorin (Ca-folinate), 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan in second or third line. Treatment response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival were assessed during a follow-up period of 12 months. Cytokeratin-18 fragments were analyzed in 52 patients at baseline and day 14 of therapy.Results:Levels of M30 correlated with the presence of metastasis and lymph node involvement and decreased significantly during chemotherapy. Importantly, baseline levels of M30 were significantly higher in patients who failed therapy. In addition, patients who did not respond to treatment were also identifiable at day 14 based on elevated M30 levels. By stepwise regression analysis, M30 at day 14 was identified as independent predictor of treatment response. Likewise, serum levels of full-length cytokeratin-18 M65 at baseline also correlated with treatment failure and progression-free survival. The addition of sunitinib did not exert any effects on serum levels of M30 or M65.Conclusion:The cytokeratin-18 fragment M30 at day 14 identifies patients that fail to second- or third-line therapy for advanced gastric cancer. Validation of this non-invasive biomarker in gastric cancer is warranted.

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Esophagectomy for cancer is a highly complex and demanding two-cavity procedure associated with a considerable morbidity and mortality. There are several controversies with regard to the optimal risk and complication management. Strategies include patient selection, optimization of malnutrition, hospital and surgeon volume, intraoperative anesthesiological and surgical measures, and postoperative management of complications. In this article, we review the literature on these aspects that have an impact on outcomes after esophagectomy.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) causing severe damage of the luminal gastrointestinal tract. Differential diagnosis between both disease entities is sometimes awkward requiring a multifactorial pathway, including clinical and laboratory data, radiological findings, histopathology and endoscopy. Apart from disease diagnosis, endoscopy in IBD plays a major role in prediction of disease severity and extent (i.e. mucosal healing) for tailored patient management and for screening of colitis-associated cancer and its precursor lesions. In this state-of-the-art review, we focus on current applications of endoscopy for diagnosis and surveillance of IBD. Moreover, we will discuss the latest guidelines on surveillance and provide an overview of the most recent developments in the field of endoscopic imaging and IBD.

Fur die meisten Krebspatienten kommt es vor allem auf moglichst langes Uberleben an. Deshalb wird ihm bei der Erprobung neuer Interventionen eine so grose Bedeutung beigemessen. Aber wurde die Analyse des krankheitsfreien Uberlebens nicht ebenso aussagekraftig und weniger aufwendig sein?

SummaryBackground: Malignant ascites is a frequent complication in gastrointestinal malignancy and is unresponsive to systemic therapies. Therapeutic options are limited, and repeated paracentesis is associated with increased loss of fluids and proteins, and impaired quality of life. The bi-specific trifunctional antibody catumaxomab has been approved for the treatment of refractory ascites. It has been proposed that repeated application leads to formation of human anti-mouse antibodies with a decrease in effectiveness and potentially hypersensitivity reactions. Case Report: Here we report on the repeated application of catumaxomab in 2 patients with advanced signet cell gastric cancer. Repeated application was safe and effective in decreasing the frequency of paracentesis in 1 patient. No hypersensitivity reactions beyond the immune-mediated side effects were observed with the application of catumaxomab. 1 patient experienced an inflammatory response with acute deterioration of kidney function during the first cycle but recovered quickly. Re-challenge with catumaxomab did not produce an inflammatory reaction in the 2 cases. Conclusion: Overall, the repeated treatment was associated with a beneficial effect on puncture-free survival in 1 patient, and appears to be a treatment option in selected patients with gastrointestinal malignancy.

Die aktuelle S3-Leitlinie zur Diagnostik und Therapie des Magenkarzinoms einschlieslich der Adenokarzinome des osophagogastralen Ubergangs beschreibt die bestmoglichen Versorgungsmodalitaten basierend auf hoher Evidenz und interdisziplinarem Konsens verschiedener medizinischer Fachgebiete. Die Osophagogastroduodenoskopie mit Entnahme multipler Biopsien ist als Standardverfahren zur Detektion von Tumoren im oberen Gastrointestinaltrakt anzusehen. Zum Staging werden weitere bildgebende Untersuchungsverfahren eingesetzt. Die Chirurgie stellt weiterhin bis auf die mukosabeschrankten Tumoren die entscheidende Behandlungsoption mit kurativem Ansatz bei allen potenziell resezierbaren Stadien dar.

Molecular metastases are precursors of postoperative recurrence, detected by molecular-biological tools. Chemokines and their receptors contribute to dissemination and local immune recognition. A strong expression of the chemokine receptor CCR5 is associated with non-metastatic colorectal cancer and increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration. The aim of this study was to analyze whether CCR5 expression correlates with the presence of hepatic molecular metastases (MM). Ninety-three patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer were assessed. The K-ras mutation status was defined by PCR–RFLP, and the CCR5 expression status was analyzed by CCR5-specific reverse transcription (RT-PCR) analysis. Liver biopsy samples had been intra-operatively taken to screen for MM. MM were detected by K-ras-specific PCR–RFLP and nested CK20/GCC RT-PCR. Prevalence of MM was correlated with CCR5 expression status. Human colorectal cancer harboured K-ras mutations in 53% (codon 12: 47%; codon 13: 6%) of cases. Among K-ras mutants, MM were detected in 27–53% of patients, dependent on the technique applied (K-ras-specific PCR–RFLP assay vs. nested CK20/GCC RT-PCR approach (P = 0.004)). CCR5 expression of K-ras mutants ranged from absent (23/49: 47%), weak (17/49: 35%), intermediate (4/49: 8%) to strong (5/49: 10%). MM were found in 30% of CCR5 negative and in 23% of CCR5 positive cancer patients by the K-ras-specific PCR–RFLP assay. The nested CK20/GCC RT-PCR assay detected MM in 87% of CCR5 negative and in 27% of CCR5 positive colorectal cancer patients (P = 0.00002). Thus, CCR5 expression of the primary cancer might be a valuable biomarker indicating the absence of hepatic molecular metastases.

Colorectal cancer is one of the three most frequent malignancies in humans. Survival is mainly determined by local recurrence, lymphatic and hematogenous dissemination. Primary liver resection for metastases is possible in ~20-25% of patients with hepatic metastases and results in a 50% recurrence rate within 23 months. The five-year survival without treatment in patients with UICC stage IV is only 5%, the mean survival 6-9 months. As a result of promising developments in chemotherapy and targeted therapies in the last decade, the mean survival rate has significantly improved to over more than two years. Furthermore, the use of polychemotherapy in combination with anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative biologicals has resulted in a significant increase of secondary resectability of liver metastases. Despite of a R0-resection (i.e. resection with clear margins) of liver metastases, only 30% of patients remain free of recurrence in the long-term. Prognostic scores are used for optimal patient selection, e.g. the Fong-Score. Resection is often limited by a high number of recurrences: intrahepatic micrometastases and disseminated tumor cells (DTC) are suspected as the cause of their development. In this connection the load of disseminated tumor cells correlates significantly with the survival and recurrence rate after resection. These micrometastases are targets in current adjuvant treatment studies (e.g. MT 201) by using anti-EpCam antibodies. The detection of DTC can supplement the previously used scores and represents the indication for an adjuvant antibody-based treatment (e.g. anti-EpCam) in the context of clinical trials.

As a consequence of recent studies the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers has become challenging and is undergoing constant changes on the basis of the results of new trials. The steering committee of the working group on gastrointestinal cancers of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten has decided to summarise and present recent updates of the current treatment guidelines and recommendations for the most relevant gastrointestinal malignancies. In this review we have included recent findings from large trials on esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, cholangiocellular and liver cancers, as well as colorectal cancers, neuroendocrine tumours and lymphomas. This includes an update on the combination with novel targeted agents and the introduction of potential predictive biomarkers in the selection of the appropriate treatment strategy.

Purpose Adjuvant 5-fluorouracil–based chemoradiotherapy has been shown to improve the prognosis of gastric cancer. To optimize these results, in the present study oxaliplatin and capecitabine were used instead of 5-fluorouracil. We sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of these drugs in combination with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Methods and Materials Patients with resected adenocarcinoma of the stomach or the gastroesophageal junction were included. They received two cycles of induction chemotherapy (oxaliplatin and capecitabine [XelOx] regimen). Using standard Phase I methodology, patients received 45 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions either in combination with capecitabine 825 mg m −1 twice a day (Dose Level [DL] I) or capecitabine in combination with weekly oxaliplatin 40 or 50 mg m −1 (DL II and III). After the completion of chemoradiation, two additional cycles of XelOx were scheduled. Results A total of 32 patients were recruited. Only 1 of 6 patients evaluable on DL I had DLT. Of the first 6 patients on DL II, 1 patient experienced DLT, and 3 of the remaining patients had Grade 3 toxicity. Therefore, DL II was defined as the maximum tolerated dose and a total of 20 patients were treated at this DL. The most frequently observed toxicities (Common Toxicity Criteria Grades 1, 2 and 3) were, respectively, leukocytopenia in 5, 5, and 4 patients; nausea in 3, 7, and 3; and diarrhea in 4, 0, and 1. Conclusions In summary, capecitabine 825 mg m −1 twice a day (Days 1–33) and weekly oxaliplatin 40 mg m −1 was safe and tolerable in combination with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Furthermore, four cycles of XelOx could be applied before and after chemoradiotherapy in two thirds of the patients.

Purpose We investigated choice and efficacy of subsequent treatment, with special focus on second-line therapy, in the FIRE-3 trial (FOLFIRI plus cetuximab [arm A] or bevacizumab [arm B]) for patients with KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods Start of subsequent-line (second or third) therapy was defined as use of an antitumor drug that was not part of the previous regimen. We evaluated choice, duration, and efficacy of subsequent therapy and determined the impact of subsequent-line treatment on outcome of patients in FIRE-3. Results Of 592 patients in the intent-to-treat population, 414 (69.9%) received second-line and 256 (43.2%) received third-line therapy. In subsequent treatment lines, 47.1% of patients originally assigned to arm A received bevacizumab, and 52.2% originally assigned to arm B received either cetuximab or panitumumab. Oxaliplatin was subsequently used in 55.9% (arm A) and 53.2% (arm B) of patients. Second-line therapy was administered for a median duration of 5.0 versus 3.2 months (P < .001) in study arm A versus B. Progression-free (6.5 v 4.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.85; P < .001) and overall survival (16.3 v 13.2 months; hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.88; P = .0021) from start of second-line therapy were longer in patients in arm A compared with arm B. Conclusion Our data suggest that the sequence of drug application might be more important than exposure to single agents. In patients with RAS wild-type tumors, first-line application of anti–epidermal growth factor receptor–directed therapy may represent a favorable condition for promoting effective subsequent therapy including antiangiogenic agents.

Currently, the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers is rapidly changing due to the implementation of novel chemotherapeutic agents as well as the introduction of targeted therapies into treatment protocols. The following review will give an overview on the most important clinical trials in esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer that were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.