Plasma and serum concentrations of VEGF-A121, but not of VEGF-A165, increase post-bevacizumab administration.

Background: VEGF-A concentrations were measured in the blood of bevacizumab-treated cancer patients in previous studies, but a consensus has not formed that would develop VEGF-A into a clinical biomarker. Recently, methods to strictly distinguish between the VEGF-A isoforms have been developed but have not yet been applied to cancer patients undergoing bevacizumab treatment.

Methods: An ELISA that strictly distinguishes between VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165-the major isoforms of VEGF-A-and a commercially available ELISA for VEGF-A are used to determine the concentration of VEGF-A121, VEGF-A165, and VEGF-A in the blood of 12 patients with advanced colorectal cancer receiving bevacizumab therapy.

The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A121/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A165 Ratio as a Predictor of the Therapeutic Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Gastric Cancer.

Background/objectives: The response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is limited. Further, there is a need to discover biomarkers to predict therapeutic efficacy. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is strongly associated with intra-tumoral immunity; however, its utility as a marker remains unknown.

VEGF-A165 is the predominant VEGF-A isoform in platelets, while VEGF-A121 is abundant in serum and plasma from healthy individuals.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) plays pivotal roles in regulating tumor angiogenesis as well as physiological vascular function. The major VEGF-A isoforms, VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165, in serum, plasma, and platelets have not been exactly evaluated due to the lack of the appropriate assay system. Antibodies against human VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165 (hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165) were successfully produced and Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) for hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165 were separately created by these monoclonal antibodies.

Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors promote antitumor responses via tumor microenvironment immunosuppression in advanced colorectal cancer.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate changes in the tumor immune environment of patients who underwent therapy with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor for advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: Patients ( = 135) with T3 or T4 colorectal cancer were included in this retrospective study. They were classified as follows: patients who had not received preoperative treatment (UPFRONT group,  = 54), who had received FOLFOX as preoperative chemotherapy (FOLFOX group,  = 55), and who had undergone resection after combination FOLFOX and bevacizumab as unresectable colorectal cancer (B-MAB group,  = 26).

Are intratumoral microbiota involved in the progression of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas?

Background: Microbiota have been reported to influence the development of various gastrointestinal neoplasms through the mechanism of sustained inflammation; however, few data are available regarding their influence on intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. The aim of this study was to assess the association between specific microbiota and the clinicopathologic characteristics of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas.

Methods: DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of 30 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and polymerase chain reaction was used to create sequence libraries using the primer set for the V3 and V4 region of 16S recombinant DNA.

Implications of PD-1, Tim-3, and TIGIT Expression for Cancer Immunity and Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis.

Background/aim: The development and application of cancer immunotherapy to pancreatic cancer has not progressed because its efficacy has not been proven in clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to explore potential targets of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Materials And Methods: We collected resected specimens from 40 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent resection at our Institution without any preoperative treatment.

[Stenotic ischemic enteritis secondary to intraperitoneal band infiltration: a case report].

A 55-year-old man presented with vomiting and upper abdominal pain. Two months later, computed tomography revealed jejunal wall thickening and contrast enhancement. Double-balloon endoscopy revealed severe jejunal stenosis and mucosal prolapse.

Curative resection after chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy for postoperative recurrence of pancreatic tail cancer in the abdominal wall: a case report.

Background: Locoregional recurrence and metastasis to the liver, peritoneum, and lung are the most common recurrent patterns of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after radical resection. Recurrence in the abdominal wall is extremely rare. Herein, we report our experience with a patient who had recurrent PDAC in the abdominal wall with long-term survival by means of multidisciplinary therapy.

Multidisciplinary treatment of advanced or recurrent solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: three case reports.

Background: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is a rare pancreatic tumor that predominantly affects young females. Prognosis is excellent; however, 10-15% of patients show metastasis at the time of surgery or develop tumor recurrence after pancreatectomy.

Case Presentation: We reviewed the clinical course of three patients with advanced or recurrent SPN and subsequently underwent multidisciplinary treatment at our institution between 2002 and 2019.

Postoperative recurrence with right cervical lymph node metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with metastases to the cervical lymph nodes are extremely rare, and its clinical course is characterized by rapidly progressive disease. Hence, there have been no reports of metastatic cervical lymph node recurrence indicated after a long postoperative surveillance period.

Case Presentation: The patient was a 63-year-old male who underwent right hepatectomy for HCC of the right upper lobe.

Clinical Utility and Limitation of Diagnostic Ability for Different Degrees of Dysplasia of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas Using F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography.

The diagnostic value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the role of FDG uptake in the diagnosis of different degrees of dysplasia of IPMNs. We retrospectively analyzed the following three points in 84 patients with IPMNs: (1) risk factors to predict high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and invasive carcinoma (INV); (2) the relationship between FDG uptake and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) expression; and (3) the relationship between FDG uptake and the presence of mural nodules.

Molecular Pathogenesis and Regulation of the -Family: Involvement of and in Intra-Hepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

The aggressive nature of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) renders it a particularly lethal solid tumor. Searching for therapeutic targets for ICC is an essential challenge in the development of an effective treatment strategy. Our previous studies showed that the -family members (, and ) are key tumor-suppressive microRNAs that control many oncogenic genes/pathways in several cancers.

Clinical Benefits of Conversion Surgery for Unresectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Single-Institution, Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (UR-PDAC) has a poor prognosis. Conversion surgery is considered a promising strategy for improving the prognosis of UR-PDAC. This study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of conversion surgery in patients with UR-PDAC.

Locally advanced cholangiolocellular carcinoma successfully treated with curative resection after downsizing chemotherapy: a case report.

Background: Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is an extremely rare disease comprising less than 1% of all primary malignant liver tumors. No effective treatment other than resection has been established. Herein, we report a case of locally advanced CoCC diagnosed as unresectable, which was successfully treated with curative resection after downsizing chemotherapy.

Usefulness of F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in primary cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery: a case report.

Background: Mesenteric cysts have various histological forms, including mesenteric cystadenomas and borderline cystic neoplasms. Primary cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery is extremely rare; therefore, the clinical and radiological features of this tumor have not been fully elucidated.

Case Presentation: A 50-year-old Japanese woman had a complaint of a left-sided abdominal distention.

The 1-year outcomes after pancreaticogastrostomy using vertical versus horizontal mattress suturing for gastric wrapping.

Purpose: To investigate the differences in nutritional status 1 year after pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) using vertical suturing (VS) vs. twin square horizontal mattress (HMS) suturing in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods: The subjects of this study were 134 patients who underwent PD, followed by PG, which was closed by VS in 52 and by HMS in 82.

Retroperitoneal schwannoma sandwiched between abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. A case report.

Introduction: Schwannomas are tumors that originate from the Schwann cells present in the nerve sheath of peripheral nerves. They are commonly seen in cephalocervical areas. Schwannomas in the abdominal cavity are rare.

Anatomic Indications for Using Actuator-driven Pulsed Water Jet for Hepatectomy.

Background: The clamp crushing method and the use of the Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) are widely accepted techniques for hepatic parenchymal transection. The actuator-driven pulsed water jet (ADPJ) with high tissue selectivity is a new technology that was shown as a safe transection tool in preclinical models, although not much is known about its safety criteria in patients. Therefore, its strongest advantage, the best indications for its use, and its performance in comparison with other transection methods remain to be clarified.

[Single Liver Metastasis of Breast Cancer Mimicking Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma 13 Years after the Primary Surgery-A Case Report].

A 78-year-old woman underwent left total mastectomy for breast cancer at 65 years of age.Thirteen years after the primary surgery, CT showed a single 46mm tumor located in liver segment 4.The tumor was difficult to distinguish between cholangiocellular carcinoma and liver metastasis of the breast cancer.

Clinical prospects for laparoscopic stoma closure of a temporary loop ileostomy: Initial experience and report.

Introduction: In closure of a stoma, the small working space and adhesions hinder a precise surgical procedure, compared with conventional approaches to digestive surgery. The aim of this prospective study was to introduce a new technique of laparoscopic stoma closure (LASC).

Materials And Surgical Techniques: After starting with three trocars, it is a priority to dissect around the arising ileum; a linear stapler is precisely inserted in both orifices of the loop stoma and applied two times, extracorporeally.

Lung recurrence and its therapeutic strategy in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Background: /Objectives: The lung is a major metastatic site of pancreatic cancer (PC). We aimed to assess the features and prognosis of patients with PC according to the recurrence pattern and the effect of resection of recurrent lung lesion.

Methods: We enrolled 168 PC patients who had undergone macroscopically curative resection.

Gene Regulation by Antitumor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: The Clinical Significance of Direct RACGAP1 Regulation.

Previously, we established a microRNA (miRNA) expression signature in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues using RNA sequencing and found significantly reduced expression of . Here, we aimed to investigate the functional significance of and to identify target genes involved in PDAC pathogenesis. Cancer cell migration and invasion were significantly inhibited by ectopic expression of in PDAC cells.

Gene regulation by antitumor miR-130b-5p in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: the clinical significance of oncogenic EPS8.

Our ongoing analyses identifying dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and their controlled target RNAs have shed light on novel oncogenic pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The PDAC miRNA signature obtained by RNA sequencing showed that both strands of pre-miR-130b (miR-130b-5p, the passenger strand and miR-130b-3p, the guide strand) were significantly downregulated in cancer tissues. Our functional assays revealed that miR-130b-5p significantly blocked the malignant abilities of PDAC cell lines (PANC-1 and SW1990), e.

Three-stage laparoscopic surgery in a morbidly obese patient with Hinchey III diverticulitis: a case report.

Background: Perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis (Hinchey III diverticulitis) has traditionally been treated with a Hartmann's procedure in order to avoid the considerable postoperative morbidity and mortality associated with one-stage resection and primary anastomosis. Although there have been reports regarding laparoscopic lavage as the initial treatment of perforated Hinchey III diverticulitis, a formal treatment strategy has not been established yet. We performed a three-stage surgery, including laparoscopic lavage and drainage with diverting ileostomy (first stage), laparoscopic sigmoidectomy (second stage), and ileostomy closure (third stage) in a morbidly obese patient with Hinchey III diverticulitis.