Resection Therapy Research Articles

Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with a high mortality rate. It is regarded as a significant public health issue because of its complicated pathophysiology, high metastasis, and recurrence rates. There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of HCC, which often leads to delays in diagnosis. Traditional treatment methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and interventional therapies have limited therapeutic effects for HCC patients with recurrence or metastasis. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, molecular signaling pathways and immune checkpoint were identified as the main mechanism of HCC progression. Targeting these molecules has become a new direction for the treatment of HCC. At present, the combination of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors is the first choice for advanced HCC patients. In this review, we mainly focus on the cutting-edge research of signaling pathways and corresponding targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC. It is of great significance to comprehensively understand the pathogenesis of HCC, search for potential therapeutic targets, and optimize the treatment strategies of HCC.

Novel Flowchart Guiding the Non-Surgical and Surgical Management of Peri-Implant Complications: A Narrative Review.

Peri-implant diseases, such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, are induced by dysbiotic microbiota resulting in the inflammatory destruction of peri-implant tissue. Nonetheless, there has yet to be an established protocol for the treatment of these diseases in a predictable manner, although many clinicians and researchers have proposed various treatment modalities for their management. With the increase in the number of reports evaluating the efficacy of various treatment modalities and new materials, the use of multiple decontamination methods to clean infected implant surfaces is recommended; moreover, the use of hard tissue laser and/or air abrasion techniques may prove advantageous in the future. Limited evidence supports additional effects on clinical improvement in antimicrobial administration for treating peri-implantitis. Implantoplasty may be justified for decontaminating the implant surfaces in the supracrestal area. Surgical treatment is employed for advanced peri-implantitis, and appropriate surgical methods, such as resection therapy or combination therapy, should be selected based on bone defect configuration. This review presents recent clinical advances in debridement methods for contaminated implant surfaces and regenerative materials for treating peri-implant bone defects. It also proposes a new flowchart to guide the treatment decisions for peri-implant disease.

P329 Sarcopenia is a risk factor of post-operative recurrence of Crohn’s disease

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is defined as reduction in skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength; it was found in up to 50% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in several studies.In CD patients sarcopenia is a risk factor for surgery, post-operative complications and worse surgical outcomes; furthermore, it is a negative prognostic factor for endoscopic remission in patients treated with biologics.The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on endoscopic recurrence at 6-12 months follow-up in CD patients after ileo-colic resection. Methods CD patients undergoing primary elective ileo-colic resection surgery between 2013 and 2023 were enrolled. Patients with previous intestinal surgery, pre-operative complications (abscess, perforation) and immunosuppressive or biologic therapy after surgery were excluded. Sarcopenia was defined as the sex- and height-adjusted Total Psoas Area Index (TPAI) lower than 5.4 cm2/m2 (men) and 3.56 cm2/m2 (women), calculated at the level of the third lumbar vertebra on MRI scans performed within 3 months before surgery. Already known risk factors for post-surgical disease recurrence were considered. Uni- and multi-variate analyses were performed to evaluate if sarcopenia before surgery could influence endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeers score ≥ i2) of disease 6-12 months after surgery. Results Seventy-two CD patients were included. Endoscopic recurrence (at 6-12 months follow-up colonscopy) was found in 22% of patients and it was associated with the presence of pre-operative sarcopenia (1.4% vs 15.3%;p<0.001) and surgical complications (2.78% vs 6.94%;p=0.024), while it was not associated with comorbidies, familiarity, smoke, extension of resection or pre-operative therapy, PCR and albumin. Sarcopenia was identify as predictor of endoscopic recurrence (OR=25;p=0.005) as well as surgical complications after resection (OR=99.7;p=0.032). Neither medical or surgical complications showed statistically significant correlation with the presence of pre-operative sarcopenia (p=0.819). Conclusion Sarcopenia in CD patients before surgery seems to be an independent prognostic factor for endoscopic recurrence. Perioperative interventions to improve sarcopenia may have positive impact on surgical outcomes and disease recurrence.

Outcomes of 3-year follow up with induction vs first line chemotherapy in oral cancer patients: An observational hospital-based study.

Our study aims to analyse and compare the efficacy, adverse effect profile and survival among the Paclitaxel/Cisplatin/5-Flurouracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy and Paclitaxel/carboplatin (PC) first line or cisplatin chemotherapy in a high-volume tertiary care cancer centre. 215 patients with oral cavity cancer were recruited in this study. Patients with stages I-IIc underwent surgical resection or radiation therapy 66-74 GY/fraction. Patients of Stages III-IV were administered with either induction chemotherapy TPF or PC or cisplatin regimen. Treatment responses were assessed by CT and MRI. Response rates, survival and adverse effects data were tabulated and analysed. The mean age was 49.2 ± 11.68 years. Symptoms were ulceration (33.5%), growth (20.5%), pain (13%), ulcer-proliferative growth (8.4%) and swelling (13, 6%). The tumour site was found at the base of the tongue, C01 (42.2%) followed by C06 (35.8%), C08 (6.5%), C07 (5.2%) and C05 (4.6%). There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in efficacy and survival outcomes between the different groups of treatment. Median survival was achieved within 36 months. The major side effect observed were anaemia (15.81%), diarrhoea (36.2%), dyspepsia (28.8%), fever (33.95%), mucositis (28.85%), myalgia (33.95%) and nausea (7.9%). Survival among the responder categories (CR, PR and NR) was significantly different as per Log-rank analysis ( P = 0.015). TPF induction therapy and PC first line chemotherapy showed similar efficacy, safety profile and survival whereas cisplatin shows poor efficacy and safety and survival in Indian oral cancer patients.

Zanzalintinib (XL092) plus atezolizumab versus regorafenib in previously treated MSS/MSI-low metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): The randomized phase 3 STELLAR-303 study.

TPS229 Background: Patients with microsatellite stable/microsatellite instability-low (MSS/MSI-low) mCRC account for ~95% of mCRC cases, and there is a significant unmet need in patients with treatment-refractory MSS/MSI-low mCRC. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown limited activity in this patient population, the addition of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) may increase sensitivity to ICIs by promoting an immune-permissive tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, TKI-ICI combinations have demonstrated encouraging clinical activity in patients with mCRC, particularly in subgroups of patients without liver metastases (LM). Most recently, in the phase 3 LEAP-017 study of patients with non–MSI-high/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) mCRC, although pembrolizumab + lenvatinib did not improve overall survival (OS) vs standard of care, subgroup analysis suggested the potential for clinical benefit in patients without LM (Kawazoe et al, ESMO-WCGI 2023). Zanzalintinib is a novel multi-kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR, MET, and the TAM kinases (TYRO3, AXL, MER). In a phase 1 study, zanzalintinib alone and in combination with atezolizumab (an anti–PD-L1 ICI) showed preliminary anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile across multiple tumor types (Sharma et al, ESMO 2022). Methods: STELLAR-303 (NCT05425940) is a global, randomized, open-label phase 3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of zanzalintinib + atezolizumab versus regorafenib in adult patients with MSS/MSI-low mCRC. Patients must have documented MSI/MMR status (non–MSI-high/dMMR) and RAS status by tissue-based analysis, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, ECOG PS 0 or 1, and radiographic progression during/after or intolerance to standard of care treatments for mCRC. Prior regorafenib, trifluridine/tipiracil, or PD-L1/PD-1 ICIs are not allowed. Patients with or without active LM at baseline are eligible; those with definitively treated LM (includes surgical resection, microwave/radiofrequency ablation, or stereotactic body radiation therapy, but not yttrium-90 or chemoembolization alone) are considered to have non-active LM if treated ≥6 months before enrollment with no evidence of radiologic progression on subsequent imaging. Patients are randomized 1:1 to receive zanzalintinib + atezolizumab or regorafenib. Planned enrollment is 874 patients; number of patients with LM will be capped to ensure results of the study are relevant to the real-world mCRC population. Primary endpoint is OS in patients without LM. The key secondary efficacy endpoint is OS in all randomized patients. A hierarchical testing strategy will be employed for primary and key secondary endpoints. Safety will also be assessed. Enrollment is ongoing in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific region. Clinical trial information: NCT05425940 .

Comparing resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with macrovascular invasion: A propensity score matched study.

521 Background: Macrovascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is a poor prognostic factor. Current guidelines endorse systemic therapy for MVI. Local therapies present a potential for obliteration of MVI and improved survival. Surgery has been the standard local therapy at our institution, and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as an alternative local therapy for this patient population. Methods: In this retrospective study, one-to-one optimal pair propensity score matching was used to compare outcomes of HCC patients with MVI who underwent surgery or received SBRT. Matching was done based on sex, age, ECOG, cirrhosis presence, Child-Pugh class, number of tumours, tumour volume, alpha-fetoprotein level, ALBI score, Japanese Classification of portal vein invasion, and hepatic vein invasion. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and between group differences determined using the log-rank test. The cumulative incidence of recurrence, accounting for the competing risk of death, was compared using Gray’s test. Results: Ninety of 193 patients were included after matching (45 patients in both the surgery and SBRT groups) (Table). The SBRT group had a median OS of 15 months (95% CI: 10-38), while in the surgery group it was 24 months (95% CI: 11-81). Comparing the 12-, 36-, and 60-month overall survival (OS) rates between the SBRT group (57%, 33%, 15%) and the surgery group (58%, 37%, 34%), there was no statistically significant differences (p=0.16); the 5-year OS was double in the surgical resection group. The 12-, 36-, and 60-month cumulative incidence of HCC recurrence in the SBRT group (47%, 73%, 75%) was comparable to the surgery group (69%, 69%, 69%) (p=0.89). Conclusions: Long term survival is possible in patients with HCC and MVI in a substantial minority of patients with HCC and MVI treated with local therapies. There was no statistical difference in outcomes; however, surgical resection resulted in numerically longer survival outcomes compared to SBRT after propensity score adjustment. There is rationale for investigating both local therapies with systemic therapies in future clinical trials. [Table: see text]

Non-responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Characteristics and outcomes.

662 Background: For patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma, resection and systemic therapy remain the mainstays of curative-intent treatment. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been frequently employed with the goals of addressing systemic disease early and improving patient selection for surgery. Those who do not respond to neoadjuvant therapy present a challenge with a lack of randomized data to aid in decision making. Here we sought to define the characteristics and outcomes of those patients to guide clinical practice. Methods: This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study using a prospectively maintained database of those diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients included in the study were those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Non-responders were defined as those with both no radiographic and no biochemical response at the first re-assessment after initiation of therapy. Results: A total of 176 patients were identified who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with curative intent. Of those, 42 (23.8%) patients had no evidence of either radiographic or biochemical response. Of those patients, 14 were upfront resectable (33.3%) and 20 were borderline resectable (47.6%). An additional 8 (19%) were locally advanced. Most patients received FOLFIRINOX as a first line chemotherapy agent (n = 25, 59.5%). A total of 12 (28.6%) patients underwent neoadjuvant radiation therapy. A total of 19 (45.2%) proceeded to surgery and two of those were found to be unresectable at exploration, resulting in 17 (40.5%) who ultimately received curative-intent resection. Exactly half (n = 21) of the patients had their chemotherapy switched (CS). Of those who had CS, 11 (52.4%) had evidence of local tumor progression on their initial restaging scan compared to just 3 (14.3%) of those who did not (p = 0.02). Additionally, patients who had CS had higher incidence of vascular involvement on their initial scan (90.5% vs 52.3%, p = 0.051). A total of 6 (28.6%) who underwent CS had subsequent biochemical response compared 4 (19.0%) of those who did not. Ultimately, 6 (28.6%) of those who had CS ultimately proceeded to surgery compared to 13 (61.9%) of those who did not (p = 0.062). Interestingly, there was no significant difference in median overall survival between those who had CS (18.6 months) and those who did not (19.9 months, p = 0.525). Conclusions: Non-responders to frontline neoadjuvant systemic therapy present a clinical challenge and have poor rates of curative-intent resection. Chemotherapy switch was employed mostly in cases with worse prognostic factors and thus infrequently lead to resection. Despite this, patients who underwent CS had similar overall survival to those who did not. These data suggest there may be a role for chemotherapy switch in those who do not respond to front line chemotherapy.

Supratentorial extra-ventricular ependymoma as a mass lesion in a child: report and literature review.

Supratentorial extra-ventricular ependymoma (SEE) are extremely rare in pediatric population and have varied presentation based on size, location, epicentre and compression on neurovascular structure. The authors report a 7-year-old girl presenting with seizure, who had a lobar SEE on MRI scan, successfully treated by microsurgical resection and adjuvant therapy.

The Role of Radiotherapy for Meningeal Melanocytomas - A 20 Year Update.

Meningeal melanocytomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system and optimal treatment needs further clarification. This study compared subtotal resection (STR), STR plus radiation therapy (RT), gross total resection (GTR), and GTR+RT to better define the role of postoperative RT. All cases reported in the literature were reviewed. Patients (n=184) with complete data were analyzed for local control (LC) and overall survival (OS). On univariate analysis, GTR (vs. STR) was associated with improved LC (p=0.016). When comparing the treatment regimens, best and worst results were found after GTR+RT and STR alone, respectively (p<0.001). On univariate analysis, GTR resulted in better OS than STR (p=0.041). Moreover, the treatment regimen had a significant impact on OS (p=0.049). On multivariate analyses of LC and OS, extent of resection and treatment regimen were found to be significant factors. After STR, RT significantly improved LC but not OS. After GTR, RT did not significantly improve LC or OS. GTR was significantly superior to STR regarding LC and OS. STR+RT resulted in significantly better LC when compared to STR alone.

Oncological results in primary and secondary malignant chest wall tumors.

This study aims to evaluate the oncological results of primary and secondary chest wall tumors treated with curative resections and to investigate possible prognostic factors. Between January 2010 and December 2021, a total of 77 patients (53 males, 24 females; median age: 59 years; range, 3 to 87 years) who underwent curative resection for malignant chest wall tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Each tumor was staged according to its histological type. Age, sex, tumor diameter, tumor type (primary/secondary), histological tumor type, grade, stage, complete resection, rib resection, reconstruction, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, recurrence, and survival data were recorded. Of the chest wall tumors, 33 (42.9%) were primary and 44 (57.1%) were secondary (local invasion, metastasis). Nine (11.7%) patients had positive surgical margins. Chest wall resection was most commonly performed due to lung cancer invasion (46.8%), followed by Ewing sarcoma (13%). Recurrence was observed in 34 (44.2%) patients. The five-year recurrence-free survival rate was 42.7% and the five-year overall survival rate was 58.6%. There was no significant difference between the primary and secondary tumors in terms of recurrence-free and overall survival (p=0.663 and p=0.313, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, tumor grade and rib resection were found to be independent prognostic factors for both recurrence-free survival (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively) and overall survival (p=0.048 and p=0.007, respectively). Successful oncological results can be achieved in wellselected patients with primary and secondary chest wall tumors. The grade of the tumor should be taken into account while determining the neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment approach and surgical margin width. Rib resection should not be avoided when necessary.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of unilateral midfacial defect resulting from flap related complication: A case report of clinical challenges and their solutions.

Composite defects of the head and neck region after oncologic resection are challenging and require reconstruction of several layers, including the intraoral lining, osseous reconstruction of the mandible or maxilla and soft tissue/skin coverage. Management of complications resulting from flap failure is a challenging task from a technical and aesthetic perspective that can have a substantial social and psychological impact on those affected. This clinical report describes prosthetic rehabilitation of a lateral midfacial defect and the clinical challenges encountered and their solutions in a patient with carcinoma of gingivobuccal complex who underwent composite bite resection, reconstruction and adjuvant radiation therapy. A conventional approach that employed an acrylic substructure and silicone (one-piece) prosthesis was implemented to address the cutaneous cheek defect taking into account history of recent radiotherapy and comprehensive medical history. The delivered prosthesis effectively restored the lost facial contour and concealed the facial defect, contributing to aesthetics and improving the patient's quality of life.

Modularized supramolecular assemblies for hypoxia-activatable fluorescent visualization and image-guided theranostics.

Rationale: Molecular imaging of microenvironment by hypoxia-activatable fluorescence probes has emerged as an attractive approach to tumor diagnosis and image-guided treatment. Difficulties remain in its translational applications due to hypoxia heterogeneity in tumor microenvironments, making it challenging to image hypoxia as a reliable proxy of tumor distribution. Methods: We report a modularized theranostics platform to fluorescently visualize hypoxia via light-modulated signal compensation to overcome tumor heterogeneity, thereby serving as a diagnostic tool for image-guided surgical resection and photodynamic therapy. Specifically, the platform integrating dual modules of fluorescence indicator and photodynamic moderator using supramolecular host-guest self-assembly, which operates cooperatively as a cascaded "AND" logic gate. First, tumor enrichment and specific fluorescence turn-on in hypoxic regions were accessible via tumor receptors and cascaded microenvironment signals as simultaneous inputs of the "AND" gate. Second, image guidance by a lighted fluorescence module and light-mediated endogenous oxygen consumption of a photodynamic module as dual inputs of "AND" gate collaboratively enabled light-modulated signal compensation in situ, indicating homogeneity of enhanced hypoxia-related fluorescence signals throughout a tumor. Results: In in vitro and in vivo analyses, the biocompatible platform demonstrated several strengths including a capacity for dual tumor targeting to progressively facilitate specific fluorescence turn-on, selective signal compensation, imaging-time window extension conducive to precise normalized image-guided treatment, and the functionality of tumor glutathione depletion to improve photodynamic efficacy. Conclusion: The hypoxia-activatable, image-guided theranostic platform demonstrated excellent potential for overcoming hypoxia heterogeneity in tumors.

Comparing resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with macrovascular invasion: a propensity score matched study

Comparing resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with macrovascular invasion: a propensity score matched study

Aggressive pituitary tumors and carcinomas: modern classification, advances and prospects in treatment

Despite slow growth of most pituitary tumors and high rates of total resection and/or effective therapy, pituitary neoplasms are characterized by aggressive behavior with high growth rate, frequent relapses and resistance to standard treatments in 10% of cases. In modern WHO classifications of tumors of the central nervous system, endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors, the authors propose the definition «pituitary neuroendocrine tumor» instead of previous «pituitary adenoma» and «metastasizing pituitary neuroendocrine tumor» instead of «pituitary carcinoma». Currently, there are no effective prognostic markers of aggressive tumors. This complicates early diagnosis. It is proposed to apply a five-stage prognostic classification based on proliferation rate (including mitotic count, Ki-67 index and p53 immunoexpression) and morphometric markers of invasiveness for all resected pituitary neoplasms. This approach would be valuable for earlier detection of aggressive tumors and pituitary carcinomas. Compression of visual pathways, third ventricle and brain stem due to rapid growth of aggressive tumors usually requires redo surgeries with subsequent radiotherapy. Hormonally active tumors require therapy with somatostatin analogues and dopamine agonists in maximum possible doses. Chemotherapy with temozolomide as first-line option is recommended if standard treatment is ineffective. Alternative treatment includes peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), molecular targeted therapy (bevacizumab, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, everolimus and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors) and immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors). Considering the need for combined treatment, these cases should always be discussed by a multidisciplinary team (neurosurgeon, endocrinologist, radiotherapist, oncologist, pathologist) with necessary qualifications and experience in treating these patients. Treatment of aggressive tumors and pituitary carcinomas is becoming an active and rapidly developing direction in neurosurgery, endocrinology and oncology.

Comparing resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy for HCC with macrovascular invasion

Comparing resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy for HCC with macrovascular invasion

Quality of life and functional outcomes in tongue cancer patients: a long-term, prospective, comparative study.

The tongue has an indispensable role in communication, swallowing and breathing. Tongue cancer treatment involves direct resection of the tumor and surrounding tissue, which can limit many essential functions of the tongue. There are few patient-reported quality of life studies involving tongue cancer exclusively. There is also a lack of data on the outcomes of quality of life regarding different reconstructive methods, adjuvant non-surgical therapies and other predicting factors. Our objective is to assess the quality of life, functional status, and predicting factors in patients with tongue cancer up to one year after surgical resection. Thirty-six patients with tongue cancer were prospectively identified between October of 2017 and January 2021. Patients were examined before and one, three, six and twelve months after surgical resection with the validated University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOL). Data collection included patient age, sex, TNM staging, size of resection, neck dissection, tracheostomy, reconstructive method and adjuvant therapies. Outcome scores were compared using the Friedman test. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of quality of life and functional status. The use of UWQOL scores as dependent variables revealed the following predicting factors: age, tobacco use, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, reconstruction method and neck dissection. The most relevant findings in our study are that flap reconstruction becomes increasingly necessary when a glossectomy resection is over 45 mm, in order to maintain tongue function. We established that the reconstructive flap type does not influence quality of life in the long term. Also, we have found that cervical sentinel node biopsy provides better quality of life over neck dissection in the first 3 months after surgery.

Prognostic Factors of Survival for Grade 3 Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma: A Population-Based Retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis

Introduction: Grade 3 solitary fibrous tumor, previously known as anaplastic hemangiopericytoma, is a rare and highly malignant intracranial tumor with a limited understanding of its natural history and treatment outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database spanning 2000–2019 to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment modalities that influence overall survival in this tumor entity. A cohort of 249 patients with intracranial grade 3 solitary fibrous tumors was identified. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were employed to determine significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Kaplan-Meier models were used to visualize survival curves, and a nomogram was constructed to predict survival probabilities at 6- and 12-month following diagnosis. Results: Our findings indicated that patient age (<65 years), localized or regional disease burden, surgical resection, and radiation therapy were significant predictors of better overall survival. Combination therapies showed improved survival, with surgery and radiation therapy having the most significant impact. However, chemotherapy alone or in combination did not demonstrate a significant survival benefit, likely due to the limited sample size. The nomogram provided personalized prognostic predictions based on significant clinical factors. Conclusions: These data emphasize the importance of surgical resection and radiation therapy in the management of grade 3 solitary fibrous tumors, supporting the use of combination therapies to improve overall survival in this rare and aggressive intracranial neoplasm.

Machine Learning of Histopathological Images Predicts Recurrences of Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma With Adjuvant Treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an intractable disease with frequent recurrence after resection and adjuvant therapy. The present study aimed to clarify whether artificial intelligence-assisted analysis of histopathological images can predict recurrence in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent resection and adjuvant chemotherapy with tegafur/5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine/potassium oxonate. Eighty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Machine-learning algorithms were applied to 10-billion-scale pixel data of whole-slide histopathological images to generate key features using multiple deep autoencoders. Areas under the curve were calculated from receiver operating characteristic curves using a support vector machine with key features alone and by combining with clinical data (age and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen levels) for predicting recurrence. Supervised learning with pathological annotations was conducted to determine the significant features for predicting recurrence. Areas under the curves obtained were 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.87) by the histopathological data analysis and 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.94) by the combinatorial analysis of histopathological data and clinical data. Supervised learning model demonstrated that poor tumor differentiation was significantly associated with recurrence. Results indicate that machine learning with the integration of artificial intelligence-driven evaluation of histopathological images and conventional clinical data provides relevant prognostic information for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

10051-CBMS-4 CURCUMIN ANALOG COMPOUND A INHIBITS THE GROWTH OF GLIOBLASTOMA BY INDUCING G2/M PHASE ARREST AND APOPTOSIS AT A LOWER CONCENTRATION THAN CURCUMIN

Abstract PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Over 15,000 patients are diagnosed with GBM yearly, with a median survival expectancy of&amp;lt;15 months and&amp;lt;10% survival rate beyond five years, despite applying conventional multimodal treatment containing surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The efficiency of conventional therapies is limited due to the lack of specificity and the accuracy of eradicating aggressive diffusing GBM cells. Developing new therapeutic agents against GBM is strongly recommended. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the curcumin (Cur) analogs Compound A (ComA) possess anti-tumor activity against GBM. METHODS AND RESULTS To evaluate the anti-tumor activity of ComA against GBM, we performed an MTT assay. The human GBM cell lines U87-MG and U251 were pre-treated with Cur or ComA, cell viability was examined using a cell counting kit, and then IC50 values were evaluated. The IC50 values for U87-MG were: Cur, 9.78 μM; ComA, 2.42 μM. Those for U251 were: Cur, 9.50 μM; ComA, 2.27 μM. To examine the effects of ComA on normal cells, the same MTT assay was performed on primary cultured astrocytes from neonatal rats. ComA did not significantly reduce the cell viability in astrocytes at concentrations that had an anti-tumor effect on GBM cells (ComA, 3 μM). Next, a cell cycle analysis was performed with PI staining and an apoptosis assay with Annexin V/PI staining using flowcytometry. ComA, at lower concentrations than Cur, induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. qPCR showed that ComA decreases CDK1 and CyclinB1 mRNA levels, the cell cycle-related proteins, at a lower concentration than Cur. DISCUSSION These results indicate that ComA has an anti-tumor effect by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis against GBM at lower concentrations than Cur.

Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Thymic Carcinoma: An Analysis of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group/European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database

IntroductionR0 resection and radiation therapy have been associated with improved overall survival (OS) in patients with thymic carcinoma (TC). Here, we analyzed which subgroups of patients derive the greatest benefit from postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). MethodsClinical, pathologic, treatment, and survival information of 462 patients with TC from the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group/European Society of Thoracic Surgeons database were analyzed. Variables included age, sex, continent of treatment, paraneoplastic syndrome, carcinoma subtype, tumor size, pathologic Masaoka stage, resection status, and use of chemotherapy. OS was the primary end point using the Kaplan-Meier method. Time to recurrence (TTR) was the secondary end point using a competing risk analysis. A 3-month landmark analysis was performed. ResultsPORT was associated with a significant OS benefit (5-y OS 68% versus 53%, p = 0.002). In patients with R0 resection, PORT was associated with increased OS for advanced (stages III–IV, p = 0.04), but not early (stages I–II, p = 0.14) stage TC. In patients with an R1/2 resection of advanced-stage TC, PORT was associated with significantly longer OS (5-y OS 53% versus 38%; p < 0.001). Subset analyses did not reveal clear associations of PORT with TTR. On multivariable analysis, lower pathologic stage, PORT, and R0 resection status were associated with an OS benefit, whereas only higher age and lower pathologic stage had an association with longer TTR. ConclusionsIn the largest individual patient data set on patients with TC reported to date, PORT was associated with a meaningful OS benefit in patients with advanced-stage TC after an R0 or R1/2 resection.