Rescue associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy after portal embolization: Our experience and literature review

AIM To report a single-center experience in rescue associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS), after failure of previous portal embolization. We also performed a literature review.METHODS Between January 2014 and December 2015, every patient who underwent a rescue ALPPS procedure in Toulouse Rangueil University Hospital, France, was included. Every patient included had a project of major hepatectomy and a previous portal vein embolization(PVE) with insufficient future liver remnant to body weight ratio after the procedure. The ALPPS procedure was performed in two steps(ALPPS-1 and ALPPS-2), separated by an interval phase. ALPPS-2 was done within 7 to 9 d after ALPPS-1. To estimate the FLR, a computed tomography scan examination was performed 3 to 6 wk after the PVE procedure and 6 to 8 d after ALPPS-1. A transcystic stent was placed during ALPPS-1 and remained opened duringthe interval phase, in order to avoid biliary complications. Postoperative liver failure was defined using the 50-50 criteria. Postoperative complications were assessed according to the Dindo-Clavien Classification.RESULTS From January 2014 to December 2015, 7 patients underwent a rescue ALPPS procedure. Median FLR before PVE, ALPPS-1 and ALPPS-2 were respectively 263 cc(221-380), 450 cc(372-506), and 660 cc(575-776). Median FLR/BWR before PVE, ALPPS-1 and ALPPS-2 were respectively 0.4%(0.3-0.5), 0.6%(0.5-0.8), and 1%(0.8-1.2). Median volume growth of FLR was 69%(18-92) after PVE, and 45%(36-82) after ALPPS-1. The combination of PVE and ALPPS induced a growth of median initial FLR of +408 cc(254-513), leading to an increase of +149%(68-199). After ALPPS-2, 4 patients had stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ complications. Three patients had more severe complications(one stage Ⅲ, one stage Ⅳ and one death due to bowel perforation). Two patients suffered from postoperative liver failure according to the 50/50 criteria. None of our patients developed any biliary complication during the ALPPS procedure.CONCLUSION Rescue ALPPS may be an alternative after unsuccessful PVE and could allow previously unresectable patients to reach surgery. Biliary drainage seems to reduce biliary complications.

Predictive factors of histological response of colorectal liver metastases after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women worldwide. Almost a third of the patients has or will develop liver metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) has recently become nearly systematic prior to surgery of colorectal livers metastases(CRLMs). The response to NAC is evaluated by radiological imaging according to morphological criteria.More recently, the response to NAC has been evaluated based on histological criteria of the resected specimen. The most often used score is the tumor regression grade(TRG), which considers the necrosis, fibrosis, and number of viable tumor cells.AIM To analyze the predictive factors of the histological response, according to the TRG, on CRLM surgery performed after NAC.METHODSFrom January 2006 to December 2013, 150 patients who had underwent surgery for CRLMs after NAC were included. The patients were separated into two groups based on their histological response, according to Rubbia-Brandt TRG.Based on their TRG, each patient was either assigned to the responder(R) group(TRG 1, 2, and 3) or to the non-responder(NR) group(TRG 4 and 5). All of the histology slides were re-evaluated in a blind manner by the same specialized pathologist. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.RESULTS Seventy-four patients were classified as responders and 76 as non-responders.The postoperative mortality rate was 0.7%, with a complication rate of 38%.Multivariate analysis identified five predictive factors of histological response.Three were predictive of non-response: More than seven NAC sessions, the absence of a radiological response after NAC, and a repeat hepatectomy(P <0.005). Two were predictive of a good response: A rectal origin of the primary tumor and a liver-first strategy(P < 0.005). The overall survival was 57% at 3 yr and 36% at 5 yr. The disease-free survival rates were 14% at 3 yr and 11% at 5 yr.The factors contributing to a poor prognosis for disease-free survival were: No histological response after NAC, largest metastasis > 3 cm, more than three preoperative metastases, R1 resection, and the use of a targeted therapy with NAC(P < 0.005).CONCLUSION A non-radiological response and a number of NAC sessions > 7 are the two most pertinent predictive factors of non-histological response(TRG 4 or 5).

MicroRNAs as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer

Despite tremendous efforts from scientists and clinicians worldwide, pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PDAC) remains a deadly disease due to the lack of early diagnostic tools and reliable therapeutic approaches. Consequently, a majority of patients(80%) display an advanced disease that results in a low resection rate leading to an overall median survival of less than 6 months. Accordingly, robust markers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer, or markers indicative of survival and/or metastatic disease are des-perately needed to help alleviate the dismal prognosis of this cancer. In addition, the discovery of new therapeutic targets is mandatory to design effective treatments. In this review, we will highlight the translational studies demonstrating that microRNAs may soon translate into clinical applications as long-awaited screening tools and therapeutic targets for PDAC.