Journal of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Sciences最新文献

Purpose: To explore factors influencing the prognosis in patients with borderline-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (BR-HCC) undergoing surgery.

Methods: The clinical data of patients with BR-HCC according to the definition in the Expert Consensus Statement 2023 were collected from board-certified HPB training centers and analyzed in detail.

Results: Data of a total of 1509 patients with BR-HCC (BR1, n = 718 and BR2, n = 791) who underwent surgery were collected. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate (DSS) and 3-year recurrence-free survival rate (RFS) were determined as 40.8% and 19.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified the oncological resectability category (i.e., BR2 vs. BR1) as a significant prognostic factor, and also the number of criteria fulfilled for classification into BR2 disease as being predictive of the DSS (hazard ratio (HR) [95% CI]: one factor: 1.32 [1.13-1.54]; two to three factors: 1.51 [1.15-1.96]). Preceding systemic therapy was significantly correlated with a longer DSS (HR, 0.41: 95% CI, 0.18-0.91) and RFS (HR, 0.80: 95% CI, 0.66-0.97) in the patients with BR1 disease, while its clinical significance was unclear in the patients with BR2 disease.

Conclusion: Multicenter data confirm the clinical relevance of the oncological resectability category and the potential advantage of preceding systemic therapy in a specific group of BR-HCC.

Purpose: To clarify the views of expert hepatobiliary surgeons on the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted of Japanese board-certified HPB training centers.

Results: A total of 100 centers responded to the survey. For solitary large (>10 cm) lesions, 77% of the respondents selected upfront surgery, while an increasing number of respondents selected combined therapy with atezolizumab + bevacizumab as the treatment of first choice as the number of lesions increased. In regard to the treatment of patients with vascular invasion, the proportion of respondents who selected systemic therapy with the intent to "potential conversion" surgery increased according to the extent of tumor thrombosis, while only a limited number of respondents excluded these groups of patients from potential surgical indications. As for the initial treatment for extrahepatic spread, consideration of systemic conversion therapy was the most commonly selected option, while upfront surgery was frequently selected for right adrenal metastasis (50%) and solitary hilar node involvement (35%).

Conclusions: The present survey clarified the current clinical approaches for the treatment of advanced HCC at HPB training centers. Future analysis, including survival outcomes, would offer important insights into the optimal management of advanced HCC.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the current treatment status for biliary tract cancers based on data from the National Clinical Database (NCD) in Japan.

Methods: Total 3895 cases of biliary tract cancers registered in the NCD during 2021 were included. We identified the rates of resection, R0 resection, postoperative complications, and incidences of lymph node metastasis for gallbladder carcinoma, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, distal bile duct carcinoma, and ampullary carcinoma.

Results: The number of biliary tract cancers registered in the NCD during 2021 was 3895 (1775 in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, 1422 in gallbladder carcinoma, and 698 in ampullary carcinoma). In gallbladder carcinoma, the resection (89.59%) and R0 resection rates (87.99%) were favorable, and the complication rate (6.05%) was lower than that of others. However, the postoperative complication rate could be higher in T3-T4 cases and when extrahepatic bile duct resection was performed concomitantly. Lymph node metastasis was frequently seen in 12.60% at the No. 13a lymph node. In perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, the R0 resection (69.82%) and complication rates (16.75%) were significantly lower and higher, respectively. In distal cholangiocarcinoma and ampullary carcinoma, metastasis was observed in approximately 2% and 10% of the dissected No. 16b1 para-aortic lymph nodes, respectively. In conclusion, although short-term surgical outcomes for biliary tract cancers in Japan might be acceptable, the significantly lower R0 resection and higher complication rates of perihilar cholangiocarcinomas indicate additional challenges for surgeons in the future and should continue to be monitored by the Japanese Society of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery.

Background: Although several prophylactic strategies have been developed for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), research on its severe form is few. Recently, it has been reported that severe POPF can be caused by intraabdominal lipolysis. This study aimed to establish a rat model of severe POPF by combining pancreatic juice leakage and lipolysis and to develop a prophylactic strategy for POPF.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to pancreatic transection to induce pancreatic juice leakage (PT group). Autologous fat tissue was thermally treated to prepare a fat solution, which was intraperitoneally administered to the rats in the PT group (PT + F group). A water-solubilized lipase inhibitor (cetilistat) was administered intraperitoneally to the rats in the PT + F group. A polyethylene glycol-based hydrogel (PEG-HG) formulation of water-solubilized cetilistat was equally administered. Ascitic and serum biochemical tests, including free fatty acids (FFA) levels, macroscopic or microscopic examinations, and survival analyses, were performed.

Results: In the PT + F group, significantly elevated ascitic and serum FFA levels and serum inflammatory cytokine levels were observed 24 h postoperatively (p < .001), and the survival rate was significantly exacerbated (p < .0001). Intraperitoneal administration of water-solubilized cetilistat resulted in reduced inflammation and improved outcomes. Although PEG hydrogel itself did not improve blood parameters or survival outcomes, the incorporation of water-solubilized cetilistat into the PEG-HG enabled similar improvement.

Conclusion: Intraperitoneal administration of water-solubilized cetilistat prevented severe inflammation and multiple failures associated with severe POPF. The incorporation of water-solubilized cetilistat into the PEG-HG is a promising delivery system for clinical application.