Society: AGA

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) features highly proliferative cancer cells and a dense stroma modulating tumor growth. Due to the invasive behavior of PC and the lack of effective treatments, there is a pressing need to develop therapies targeted at tumorigenic events to slow down PC progression. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor operating in neoplastic and stromal cells that inhibits immune activation factors and promotes tumor growth. We reported that STAT3 is overactivated in obese KC mice expressing mutant KRasG12D, a key PC driver, in the pancreas. Compared to mice fed control diet (CD; 13% fat), obese KC mice fed high fat diet (HFD; 45% fat) display rapid stromal expansion and accelerated pre-cancerous lesion (PanIN) progression and cancer incidence. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a novel STAT3 inhibitor, H182 to reduce PC progression. Methods: KC (Kras^G12D/+;Ptf1^Cre/+) mice were fed HFD for two months to allow PanIN development, and then administered 10 mg/kg H182 or vehicle control (intraperitoneally; twice per week) for 6 weeks. Tissues were collected 4 days after the last injection and histologically analyzed. We also tested the effects of H182 on STAT3 activation and downstream responses in human AsPC-1 cancer cells, mouse KC and KPC cells, and pancreatic stellate cells (PaSC) derived from PC tumors. Results: In vehicle-treated mice, the HFD imposed marked body-weight-gain, and extensive loss of normal acinar cells, abundant acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, high numbers of advanced PanINs and expansion of stromal cells in pancreas. These features were especially prominent in the pancreas head compared to the tail portion and were associated with high levels of total STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3^Tyr705, supporting STAT3 activity. Using QuPath software, we analyzed H&E-stained pancreas tissues to assess tumor growth in vehicle- and H182-treated mice. H182 treatment had no effect on body weight gain but significantly reduced the number of PanINs (from 69% of all cells in vehicle-treated to 43% in H182-treated mice in the pancreas head; and from 57% to 34% in the pancreas tail) and markedly increased the number of acinar cells (from 1.9% to 14% in the pancreas head; and from 12% to 50% in the pancreas tail). The findings indicate that H182 prevents neoplastic transformation of acinar cells and slows down PanIN progression. In cell culture systems, H182 reduced cancer cell growth and effectively inhibited IL6-induced STAT3^Tyr705 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in cancer cells and PaSC. These effects were linked to decreased secretion by these cell types of cytokines and chemokines with key pro-tumor activities. Conclusions: our findings indicate that STAT3 inhibition in neoplastic and stromal cells is a promising strategy to halt obesity-induced PC progression.

Background
Management of pancreatic cysts (PCs) is extremely complex due to the uncertainty about malignant potential. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) PancreaSeq is an adjunctive test performed on the PCs fluid. However, relying on NGS to predict high risk behavior and guide surveillance and surgical decisions has not been addressed. Our aim is to evaluate NGS performance in predicting high-risk PCs and incorporate it in the management algorithm.
Methods
This single-center retrospective study included adult patients with PCs who were seen at our high-risk pancreas clinic between 2016-2022 and had NGS data available. NGS performance in detecting high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and cancer was calculated. Reference gold standard was determined using positive surgical pathology or progression during follow-up. The risk of progression was compared between those with and without high-risk mutations using a logistic regression model. Two-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
We included a total of 440 patients with PCs and NGS. The mean age was 68.4 +13.1 with 234 women (53.2%). The mean cyst size was 25.8 + 14.4 mm. Worrisome features, defined as size >3 cm, pancreatic duct diameter 5-9 mm or mural nodule were present in 183 patients (41.6%). Patients were followed for 373 + 402 days. During follow-up, 12 patients (2.7%) were found to have HGD/cancer. PancreaSeq sensitivity in predicting HGD/cancer was 75% (95% CI: 42.8% - 94.5%) and specificity 95.6% (95% CI: 93.2% -97.3%). The area under receiving operator curve (ROC) was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.72 - 0.98). Among patients with worrisome features (n=183), high-risk mutations were detected in 17 (9.3%). Patients with worrisome features and high-risk mutations had significantly higher risk for developing HGD/cancer (35.3%) compared to those without high-risk mutations (1.2%), OR:44.7 (95% CI: 8 - 248, P<0.001). Among patients without worrisome features (n=238), high risk mutations were detected in 7 (2.9%) and these patients had significantly higher risk for developing HGD/cancer (14.3%) compared to those without high-risk mutations (0%), P<0.001 (Figure 1). Based on these findings, PCs without worrisome feature and negative for high-risk mutations could be followed less frequently. On the contrary, those with worrisome features and positive for high-risk mutations should consider surgery. Patients without worrisome features but with high-risk mutations should be followed more intensely than currently recommended, whereas those with worrisome features but without high-risk mutations could continue surveillance at the current recommended interval (Figure 2).
Conclusion
NGS has high performance in predicting the likelihood of developing advanced neoplasia. Incorporating NGS in the management algorithm of PCs further enhances our ability to guide surveillance and determine need for surgery.

<b>Figure 1. </b>Summary of 440 patients with pancreatic cysts and next-generation sequencing results including presence or absence of high-risk stigmata, worrisome features, and high-risk mutations with described risk of progression to high-grade dysplasia or cancer among each cohort. Abbreviations: high grade dysplasia (HGD)

Figure 1. Summary of 440 patients with pancreatic cysts and next-generation sequencing results including presence or absence of high-risk stigmata, worrisome features, and high-risk mutations with described risk of progression to high-grade dysplasia or cancer among each cohort. Abbreviations: high grade dysplasia (HGD)

<b>Figure 2. </b>Recommended surveillance intervals based upon risk of progression incorporating the presence of worrisome features and high-risk mutations for patients with pancreatic cysts without high-risk stigmata. Abbreviations: high grade dysplasia (HGD)

Figure 2. Recommended surveillance intervals based upon risk of progression incorporating the presence of worrisome features and high-risk mutations for patients with pancreatic cysts without high-risk stigmata. Abbreviations: high grade dysplasia (HGD)

Background: Peripheral blood circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are neoplastic cells released from primary tumors into circulation, may not directly represent loco-regional metastasis if tumor locates in secluded venous system. Detection of CTCs in portal venous blood, the primary venous drainage of pancreas may better display vascular metastasis and predict loco-regional metastasis risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We hypothesized that portal CTCs could better represent micro-loco-regional metastasis and predict survival in PDAC patients than that from peripheral blood.
Methods: A single-center, prospective cohort study of patients with PDAC stage I-III was conducted between January 2020 and September 2021 and followed up until November 2022. Portal venous blood (8mL) was obtained by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling. 8-mL peripheral blood was also obtained on the same day. The CTCs number were detected by immunoaffinity-based method using epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and mucin1 (MUC1) and reported as cells/8mL blood.
Result: A total of 35 patients were included; 13 (37%) were male, mean age was 65.2 years. The overall portal and peripheral CTCs detection rates were 94.5% and 82.9%, respectively. Advanced PDAC with loco-regional metastasis had significantly greater portal CTCs than those with less aggression [tumor size ≥5cm vs. <5 cm (median 16.0 vs 12.0 cells/8mL; p=0.016), vascular invasion vs. no (15.0 vs 9.5; p=0.021), and lymph node metastasis vs. no (25.5 vs 15.0; p=0.010)], whereas the peripheral CTCs between the 2 groups in the same categories were not statistically different (Table). Portal and peripheral CTCs for 1-year survival prediction provided an AUROCs of 0.81 (0.66-0.95), and 0.72 (0.53-0.91); p=0.002, and 0.029, respectively.
During the follow-up period of 34.5 months, 29 (82.9%) patients died. The median and mean survival were 10.7 months. Portal CTCs number had a significant inverse correlation with the patient's survival (r=-0.717, p<0.001). Using portal CTCs cutoff ≥8cells/8mL provided a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 53% for 1-year survival prediction. Patients with portal CTCs ≥8 had significantly poorer survival than those with portal CTCs <8 (6.1 vs 19.0 months; p=0.004). Patients with peripheral CTCs ≥3 had significantly poorer survival than those with peripheral CTCs <3 (4.6 vs 14.5 months; p=0.002) (Figure). In multivariable analysis, portal CTCs≥8 and peripheral CTCs≥3 were independently associated with survival with adjusted HRs (95%CI) of 3.62 (1.24-10.63), and 3.16 (1.28-7.81); p=0.019, and 0.013, respectively.
Conclusion: Although the higher CTCs in both portal and peripheral systems (8 and 3 respectively) were significantly associated with poorer survival of the patients with stage I-III PDAC, only portal CTCs reflected the aggression and loco-regional metastasis of PDAC.

<b>Table.</b> Comparison of the portal and peripheral CTCs number in tumor size, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and AJCC staging

Table. Comparison of the portal and peripheral CTCs number in tumor size, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and AJCC staging

<b>Figure</b><b>. </b>Survival of PDAC patients classified by the portal CTCs and peripheral CTCs

Figure. Survival of PDAC patients classified by the portal CTCs and peripheral CTCs

Introduction
More than 50% of PDAC patients already have distant metastases at the time of diagnosis with a dismal 5-year survival rate of 3%. Immunotherapy has shown favorable prognosis in selective resectable PDAC patients. However, there is limited data on the role of immunotherapy in late-stage PDAC. The aim of this study was to assess the overall survival (OS) of immunotherapy in patients with stage IV PDAC.

Methods
Adults diagnosed with stage IV PDAC from 2004-2018 were identified using ICD-O-3 codes from the NCDB and types of therapy were identified. The primary outcome was the OS, which was measured from the date of diagnosis to the date of last follow-up or death. Demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment modalities were compared between patients who received immunotherapy vs. standard therapy. Univariate survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Statistical comparisons of survival were performed with log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used for multivariate survival analysis adjusted for age, sex, race, facility type, insurance, income, education, Charlson-Deyo Score, year of diagnosis, tumor grade, primary site, and therapy type.

Results
A total of 188,290 patients with stage IV PDAC were identified, of which 827 (0.4%) received immunotherapy. Patients who received immunotherapy were significantly more likely to be white (88.0% vs. 83.3%) males (56.2% vs. 52.6%) diagnosed at a younger age (median 64 vs. 69 years), treated at academic/research program (56.1% vs. 35.0%), carried private insurance (47.4% vs. 30.8%), with higher education level (46.9% vs.36.6%), income (54.1% vs. 41.8%), and more likely with a Charlson-Deyo score of 0 (72.2% vs. 64.7%), compared with standard therapy group (all p<0.05, see table 1). Immunotherapy group had significantly improved median OS with an absolute benefit of 6.57 (3.42 vs. 9.99, p<0.001) months compared to the standard therapy group. Additionally, there was significant improvement noted in 1-year (42.3% vs.17.2%, p<0.001), 3-year (8.8% vs. 3.4%, p<0.001) and 5-year survival (3.6% vs. 2.0%, p<0.001) (Figure 1). In the multivariate Cox proportional analysis, patients who received immunotherapy had significantly improved OS compared to their counterparts with standard therapy [Hazard ratio 0.73 (0.67-0.80), p<0.001] after adjusting for all variables that were statistically significantly associated with immunotherapy (Table 1).

Discussion
Using nationwide data covering approximately 70% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the US, we demonstrate that in a selective group of patients, immunotherapy was associated with significantly improved OS in stage IV PDAC. Further research is needed to identify the predictive immune and genetic biomarkers which may help identify which subset of patients are likely to benefit from the addition of immunotherapy.

Table 1. Comparison of tumor characteristics and other treatment modalities between immunotherapy and standard therapy group<br /> *Variables were adjusted during multivariate survival analysis

Table 1. Comparison of tumor characteristics and other treatment modalities between immunotherapy and standard therapy group
*Variables were adjusted during multivariate survival analysis

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showing the difference in overall survival between patients receiving immunotherapy vs. standard therapy

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showing the difference in overall survival between patients receiving immunotherapy vs. standard therapy

Most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients experience disease progression after Gemcitabine-nab-Paclitaxel (GemPac) treatment indicating the need for more effective combination therapies for this recalcitrant disease. We evaluated the activity of selective inhibitor of nuclear exporter protein exportin 1 (XPO1) selinexor (Sel), in combination with GemPac in pancreatic cancer cells, spheroids, and patient-derived explant tumor models. Poly(A) RNA sequencing was performed in PDAC cells post Sel-GemPac treatment. Pre-clinical efficacy was evaluated in PDAC PDX and LSL-Kras G12D/+; Trp53 fl/+; Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mouse model mice with genomically characterized mutant KRAS and mutant p53 driven tumors. Single-nuclei RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics were performed to evaluate changes in tumor architecture in residual tumors from KPC mice. In KPC-tumor-derived cell lines, selinexor or second-generation analog eltanexor inhibited cell growth and suppressed spheroid formation. Selinexor synergized with GemPac leading to superior inhibition of KPC cell lines (CI<1) and suppressed long-term growth (colonies). RNA-seq data showed inhibition of DNA replication and nuclear transport associated genes in Sel or Sel-GemPac mediated growth inhibition. Sel-GemPac treatment resulted in enhancement in KPC mouse median overall survival compared to controls (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of residual KPC tumors showed loosening of stroma (lower density of picrosirius staining), suppression of proliferation and nuclear retention of tumor suppressor FOXO3a in the treated mice. SnRNA-seq showed a reduction in tumor cell heterogeneity (less cell clusters based on gene expression), and a reduction in stem cell markers and genes related to immune suppression. In spatial transcriptomic analysis, marked suppression of stroma supporting markers was observed in tumor and stromal compartments. Collectively, our studies show that XPO1 is a valid therapeutic target in PDAC and Sel-GemPac is an effective combination that inhibits growth and regulates the tumor microenvironment.

Background/aim: Plasma membranes of cancer cells exhibit high levels of plasticity to modulate extracellular and intracellular signals through exocytosis/endocytosis coupling-associated extracellular vesicles (EVs) and to support cell division. The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression would be suppressed by inhibiting EVs with Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) and ivermectin (IVM).
Methods: PDAC cells (derived from a genetically engineered mouse model with KrasG12D/Pdx1-Cre) were used in vitro and in vivo. 296 mice (C57BL/6) were implanted with the cells orthotopically (in the pancreas), subcutaneously, through hemispleen injection or tail vein injection. Treatments included BTX-A, IVM and/or gemcitabine plus paclitaxel (Gem/Pac). Analyses were performed with proteomics (including secretome), In-Well Western Assay and isolation of EVs using differential ultracentrifugation, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and bioinformatics (including protein-protein interactions).
Results: Treatments with BTX-A and/or IVM suppressed the plasma membrane plasticity of PDAC cells (e.g., neurite-like outgrowth and expression of plasticity protein GAP43) in response to nerve growth factor or conditional media of PDAC cells. BTX-A exerted no effect on PDAC cell proliferation but inhibited the SNARE protein complex signaling pathway, whereas IVM eliminated the formation of membrane microvilli (0.5% with IVM vs. 10% with saline in terms of volume density) and inhibited cell proliferation, clathrin-mediated endocytic signaling and particularly Rab27a. Treatment with either BTX-A or IVM or the combination of these two drugs had no effects on the tumor size and the cell proliferation rate (Ki67 and DCLK1) but enhanced the inhibitory effects of Gem/Pac on tumors implanted in the pancreas, liver, lung or under the skin. BTX-A and/or IVM increased median survivals of PDAC tumor-bearing mice, i.e., 12 days without treatment vs. 21 days with Gem/Pac, 40 days with BTX-A, 89.5 days with IVM + Gem/Pac and 90.5 days with BTX-A+IVM+Gem/Pac, respectively. BTX-A/IVM treated PDAC cells showed impaired formation and release of EVs and down-regulations of proteins involved in exocytosis/endocytosis coupling and biogenesis of EVs. The EVs of PDAC cells contained 301 proteins which are involved in axonal guidance signaling, clathrin-medicated endocytosis signaling, neuroinflammation signaling pathway, epithelial adherents junction signaling, EIF2 signaling, and integrin signaling, and toxicities in neuro-immune, kidney, liver, and heart.
Conclusion: Arresting exocytosis/endocytosis coupling with IVM and/or BTX-A significantly increased the survival rate in PDAC-tumor-carrying mice, probably by inhibiting the formation/release of EVs and retardating the systemic effects of cancer (e.g. thrombosis and organ failure).

Haiying Zhang

Appearances