Project description:Radiation therapy has an important role in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer and can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery and/or systemic chemotherapy. Because of the challenge of delivering an accurate and optimal radiation dose, image-guided radiation therapy can be used to improve targeting. Fiducial markers can be placed in the tumor and used for localization in patients undergoing image-guided radiation therapy. The safety and feasibility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided placement of fiducials has been assessed and reported for the management of pancreatic cancer. We herein review the technique, efficacy, and safety profile of EUS-guided fiducial placement. In addition, we highlight recent advances and technological upgrades in EUS-guided fiducial delivery systems for pancreatic cancer most relevant to practicing gastroenterologists and interventional endoscopists.
Project description:Background and aimsLocally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) often causes obstruction. Verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) can feasibly "debulk" the tumor more safely than noncurative surgery and has multiple advantages over older PDT agents. We aimed to assess the feasibility of EUS-guided verteporfin PDT in ablating nonresectable LAPC.MethodsAdults with LAPC with adequate biliary drainage were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were significant metastatic disease burden, disease involving >50% duodenal or major artery circumference, and recent treatment with curative intent. CT was obtained between days -28 to 0. On day 0, verteporfin .4 mg/kg was infused 60 to 90 minutes before EUS, during which a diffuser was positioned in the tumor and delivered light at 50 J/cm for 333 seconds. CT was obtained on day 2, with adverse event monitoring occurring on days 1, 2, and 14. The primary outcome was presence of necrosis.ResultsOf 8 patients (62.5% men, mean age 65 ± 7.9 years) included in the study, 5 were staged at T3, 2 at T2, and 1 at T1. Most (n = 4) had primary lesions in the pancreatic head. Mean pretrial tumor diameter was 33.3 ± 13.4 mm. On day 2 CT, 5 lesions demonstrated a zone of necrosis measuring a mean diameter of 15.7 ± 5.5 mm; 3 cases did not develop necrosis. No adverse events were noted during the procedure or postprocedure observation period (days 1-3), and no changes in patient-reported outcomes were noted.ConclusionsIn this pilot study, EUS-guided verteporfin PDT is feasible and shows promise as a minimally invasive ablative therapy for LAPC in select patients. Tumor necrosis is visible within 48 hours after treatment. Patient enrollment and data collection are ongoing. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03033225.).
Project description:BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The 5-year survival rates for gastric cancer remain poor despite evolving therapies, and fiducial insertion via endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is novel within this setting. We aimed to assess the feasibility of fiducial insertion for response assessment and anatomic localization in patients with gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective phase II feasibility study was undertaken at Austin Health (Victoria, Australia) from February 2011 to November 2012. Consecutive adult patients were enrolled who had primary adenocarcinoma of the stomach with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage T1 - 3,N0 - 1,M0 - 1a and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1. In addition, the patients were medically suitable for gastrectomy and chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy. Gold fiducial markers were inserted under EUS guidance into the margins of the gastric cancer primary. The main outcome was successful insertion of the fiducial without complications for response assessment and anatomic localization. RESULTS: A total of 15 fiducials were successfully inserted into 7 (88 %) of 8 patients. No immediate or delayed complications were noted. One patient proceeded to image-guided radiotherapy through the use of fiducials and is disease free at 12 months. Fiducials were used to assess treatment response in all patients who underwent computed tomographic imaging after insertion. Follow-up computed tomography with fiducial placement improved anatomic localization and estimation of the gastric cancer primary size in 3 (60 %) of 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of our small study cohort, fiducials were placed in gastric cancers under EUS guidance without complications, and placement was successful in the majority of our patients. Although potential benefits exist, there remain substantial limitations to the generalization of this technique across our patient population.
Project description:BACKGROUND AND AIMS:Pancreatic cancer organoids are tumor models of individualized human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), created from surgical specimens and used for personalized treatment strategies. Unfortunately, most patients with PDA are not operative candidates. Creation of human PDA organoids at the time of initial tumor diagnosis is therefore critical. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of creating human PDA organoids by EUS fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) sampling in patients with PDA. METHODS:In this prospective clinical trial in patients referred to evaluate a pancreatic mass, EUS-FNA was performed for initial onsite diagnosis. Two additional needle passes were performed with a 22-gauge FNB needle for organoid creation. Primary outcome was successful isolation of organoids within 2 weeks of EUS-FNB sampling (P0, no passages), confirmed by organoid morphology and positive genotyping. RESULTS:Thirty-seven patients with 38 PDA tumors were enrolled. Successful isolation of organoids (P0) was achieved in 33 of 38 tumors (87%). Establishment of PDA organoid lines for ?5 passages of growth (P5, five passages) was reached in 25 of 38 tumors (66%). In the single patient with successful P5 FNB sampling-derived and P5 surgically derived organoids, there was identical matching of specimens. There were no serious adverse events. Two patients developed bleeding at the EUS-FNB puncture site requiring hemostasis clips. CONCLUSIONS:Pancreatic cancer organoids can be successfully and rapidly created by means of EUS-FNB sampling using a 22-gauge needle at the time of initial diagnosis. Successful organoid generation is essential for precision medicine in patients with pancreatic cancer in whom most are not surgically resectable. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03140592.).