Pathologic tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer

Background:Previous studies have demonstrated the prognostic significance of pathologic tumor response in pancreatic adenocarcinoma following neoadjuvant therapy(NAT).The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of significant pathologic response to NAT in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer(BRPC),and association of NAT regimen and other clinico-pathologic characteristics with pathologic response.Methods:Patients with BRPC who underwent NAT and pancreatic resection between January 2012 and June 2017 were included.Pathologic response was assessed on a qualitative scale based on the College of American Pathologists grading system.Demographics and baseline characteristics,oncologic treatment,pathology,and survival outcomes were compared.Results:Seventy-one patients were included for analysis.Four patients had complete pathologic responses(tumor regression score 0),12 patients had marked responses(score 1),42 had moderate responses(score 2),and 13 had minimal responses(score 3).Patients with complete or marked responses were more likely to have received neoadjuvant gemcitabine chemoradiation(62.5%,38.1%,and 23.1%of the complete/marked,moderate,and minimal response groups,respectively;P=0.04).Of the complete/marked,moderate,and minimal response groups,margins were negative in 75.0%,78.6%,and 46.2%(P=0.16);node negative disease was observed in 87.5%,54.8%,and 15.4%(P<0.01);and median overall survival was 50.0 months,31.7 months,and 23.2 months(P=0.563).Of the four patients with pathologic complete responses,three were disease-free at 66.1,41.7 and 31.4 months,and one was deceased with metastatic liver disease at 16.9 months.Conclusions:A more pronounced pathologic tumor response to NAT in BRPC is correlated with node negative disease,but was not associated with a statistically significant survival benefit in this study.

Robotic surgery of the pancreas

Pancreatic surgery is one of the most challenging and complex fields in general surgery.While minimally invasive surgery has become the standard of care for many intra-abdominal pathologies the overwhelming majority of pancreatic surgery is performed in an open fashion.This is attributed to the retroperitoneal location of the pancreas,its intimate relationship to major vasculature and the complexity of reconstruction in the case of pancreatoduodenectomy.Herein,we describe the application of robotic technology to minimally invasive pancreatic surgery.The unique capabilities of the robotic platform have made the minimally invasive approach feasible and safe with equivalent if not better outcomes(e.g.,decreased length of stay,less surgical site infections)to conventional open surgery.However,it is unclear whether the robotic approach is truly superior to traditional laparoscopy;this is a key point given the substantial costs associated with procuring and maintaining robotic capabilities.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is associated with decreased lymph node ratio in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer:A propensity score matched analysis

Background:Lymph node ratio(LNR)and margin status have prognostic significance in pancreatic cancer.Herein we examined the pathologic and clinical outcomes in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer(BRPC)following neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)and pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods:Patients who underwent treatment between January 1,2012 and June 30,2017 were included.Sequential patients in the BRPC group were compared to a propensity score matched cohort of patients with radiographically resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent upfront surgical resection.The BRPC group was also compared to sequential patients with radiographically resectable pancreatic cancer who required vein resection(VR)during upfront surgery.Results:There were 50 patients in the BRPC group,50 patients in the matched control group,and 38 patients in the VR group.Negative margins(R0)were seen in 72%,64%,and 34%of the BRPC,control,and VR groups,respectively(P=0.521 for BRPC vs.control;P=0.002 for BRPC vs.VR),with 24%of the BRPC group requiring a vascular resection.Nodal stage was N0 in 64%,20%,and 18%of the BRPC,control,and VR groups,respectively(P<0.001 for BRPC vs.control or VR).When nodal status was stratified into four groups(N0,or LNR≤0.2,0.2–0.4,≥0.4),the BRPC group had a more favorable distribution(P<0.001).The median overall survival were 28.8,38.6,and 19.0 months for the BRPC,control,and VR groups,respectively(log-rank P=0.096).Conclusions:NAT in BRPC was associated with more R0 and N0 resections and lower LNR compared to patients undergoing upfront resection for resectable disease.