Search

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy that originates from the epithelial cells of the biliary system. Despite advancements in medical diagnostic techniques, CCAs remain a challenge to detect due to their silent clinical progression, making it difficult to diagnose these diseases. There are several well-established risk factors for CCA, including biliary tract infection and inflammation. However, there is also growing evidence that community and occupational exposures play a significant role in the development of bile duct cancers. This review examines the geographical distribution of these risk factors and the importance of surveillance in individuals exposed to these toxins who are more prone to developing CCA.

Advances in minimally invasive tissue resection techniques now allow for the majority of early colorectal neoplasia to be managed endoscopically. To optimize their respective risk–benefit profiles, and, therefore, appropriately select between endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and surgery, the endoscopist must accurately predict the risk of submucosal invasive cancer and estimate depth of invasion. Herein, we discuss the evidence and our approach for optical evaluation of large (⩾ 20 mm) colorectal laterally spreading lesions.

Background/Study aim The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recommends that trainees complete 150 endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures before assessing competency. However, this recommendation is largely based on limited evidence and expert opinion. With new evidence suggesting that this historical threshold is underestimating training requirements, we evaluated the learning curve for achieving competency in EUS. Patients/Materials and methods Two investigators independently searched MEDLINE for full-text citations assessing the learning curve for achieving competency in EUS in the period 1946 to 25 March 2016. A learning curve was defined as either a tabulated or graphic representation of competency as a function of increasing EUS experience. Results Eight studies assessing 28 trainees and 7051 EUS procedures were included. When stratifying studies based on procedural indication: three studies assessed competency in evaluating mucosal lesions, three studies assessed competency in EUS fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), and two studies assessed comprehensive competency. Among studies assessing mucosal lesion T-staging accuracy, competency was achieved by 65 to 231 procedures. Among studies assessing EUS-FNA, competency was achieved by 30 to 40 procedures. Among the two studies assessing comprehensive competency in EUS, competency was not achieved in either study across all trainees. Only four of 17 trainees reached competency by 225 to 295 EUS procedures. Conclusion As EUS competency assessment has evolved to more closely reflect independent clinical practice, the number of procedures required to achieve competency has risen well above ASGE recommendations. Advanced endoscopy training programs and specialty societies need to re-assess the structure of EUS training.

Vedolizumab, an α4β7-integrin antagonist, is the first gut-selective monoclonal antibody that has been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in many countries in the world. However, questions still remain regarding its appropriate use and placement in current treatment algorithms. Therefore, we sought out to evaluate the existing literature on the use of vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease. From inception to 21 June 2015 we searched MEDLINE for phase III randomized control trials assessing the utility of vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease, of which three were identified. The GEMINI trials demonstrate that vedolizumab is an effective and safe treatment for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (GEMINI I) and Crohn’s disease (GEMINI II and III). However, further studies are needed comparing its efficacy directly with anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies to allow for further delineation of current treatment algorithms as well as ensuring its long-term safety profile.

Background and Aims. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) recommends a fecal immunochemical test- (FIT-) positive predictive value (PPV) for all adenomas of ≥50%. We sought to assess FIT performance among average-risk participants of the British Columbia Colon Screening Program (BCCSP). Methods. From Nov-2013 to Dec-2014 consecutive participants of the BCCSP were assessed. Data was obtained from a prospectively collected database. A single quantitative FIT (NS-Plus, Alfresa Pharma Corporation, Japan) with a cut-off of ≥10 μg/g (≥50 ng/mL) was used. Results. 20,322 FIT-positive participants underwent CSPY. At a FIT cut-off of ≥10 μg/g (≥50 ng/mL) the PPV for all adenomas was 52.0%. Increasing the FIT cut-off to ≥20 μg/g (≥100 ng/mL) would increase the PPV for colorectal cancer (CRC) by 1.5% and for high-risk adenomas (HRAs) by 6.5% at a cost of missing 13.6% of CRCs and 32.4% of HRAs. Conclusions. As the NS-Plus FIT cut-off rises, the PPV for CRC and HRAs increases but at the cost of missed lesions. A cut-off of ≥10 μg/g (≥50 ng/mL) produces a PPV for all adenomas exceeding national recommendations. Health authorities need to take into consideration endoscopic resources when selecting a FIT positivity threshold.

Background. Infliximab (IFX) therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) allows for objective decision making in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and loss of response. Questions remain about whether IFX TDM improves outcomes. Methods. Patients with IBD who had IFX TDM due to concerns for loss of response were considered for inclusion. Serum IFX trough concentration and anti-drug antibody (ADA) concentrations were measured. Patients were grouped by TDM results: group 1, low IFX/high ADA; group 2, low IFX/low ADA; group 3, therapeutic IFX. Changes in management were analyzed according to groupings; remission rates were assessed at 6 months. Results. 71 patients were included of whom 37% underwent an appropriate change in therapy. Groups 1 (67%) and 2 (83%) had high adherence compared to only 9% in group 3. At 6 months, 57% had achieved remission. More patients who underwent an appropriate change in therapy achieved remission, though this did not reach statistical significance (69% versus 49%; P=0.098). Conclusions. A trend towards increased remission rates was associated with appropriate changes in management following TDM results. Many patients with therapeutic IFX concentrations did not undergo an appropriate change in management, potentially reflecting a lack of available out-of-class options at the time of TDM or due to uncertainty of the meaning of the reported therapeutic range.