Recommendations for endoscopic surveillance after esophageal atresia repair in adults

SUMMARY Background Endoscopic surveillance of adults with esophageal atresia is advocated, but the optimal surveillance strategy remains uncertain. This study aimed to provide recommendations on appropriate starting age and intervals of endoscopic surveillance in adults with esophageal atresia. Methods Participants underwent standardized upper endoscopies with biopsies. Surveillance intervals of 3–5 years were applied, depending on age and histopathological results. Patient’s age and time to development of (pre)malignant lesions were calculated. Results A total of 271 patients with esophageal atresia (55% male; median age at baseline endoscopy 26.7 (range 15.6–68.5) years; colon interposition n = 17) were included. Barrett’s esophagus was found in 19 (7%) patients (median age 32.3 (17.8–56.0) years at diagnosis). Youngest patient with a clinically relevant Barrett’s esophagus was 20.9 years. Follow-up endoscopies were performed in 108 patients (40%; median follow-up time 4.6 years). During surveillance, four patients developed Barrett’s esophagus but no dysplasia or cancer was found. One 45-year-old woman with a colon interposition developed an adenoma with high-grade dysplasia which was radically removed. Two new cases of esophageal carcinoma were diagnosed in patients (55 and 66 years old) who were not under surveillance. One of them had been curatively treated for esophageal carcinoma 13 years ago. Conclusions This study shows that endoscopic screening of patients with esophageal atresia, including those with a colon interposition, can be started at 20 years of age. Up to the age of 40 years a surveillance interval of 10 years appeared to be safe. Endoscopic surveillance may also be warranted for patients after curative esophageal cancer treatment.

Importance of long-term surveillance after curative esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Summary Background The long-term outcomes after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer remain uncertain and the optimal surveillance strategy after curative surgery remains controversial. Methods In this study, the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who underwent curative thoracic esophagectomy between 1991 and 2015 at Toranomon Hospital were retrospectively analyzed and reviewed until December 2020. We evaluated the accumulated data regarding the pattern and rates of recurrence and second malignancy. Results A total of 1054 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 97% were followed up for 5 years, and the outcomes after 25 years could be determined in 65.5%. Recurrence was diagnosed in 318 patients (30.2%), and the most common pattern was lymph node metastasis (n = 168, 52.8%). Recurrence was diagnosed within 1 year in 174 patients (54.7%) and within 3 years in 289 (90.9%). Second malignancy possibly occurred through the entire study period after esophagectomy even in early-stage cancer, keeping 2%–5% of the incidental risk. There was no significant difference in the prognosis between 3-year survivors with and without a second malignancy. Conclusions Most recurrences after resection of esophageal cancer occurred within 3 years regardless of disease stage. However, these patients have an ongoing risk of developing a second malignancy after esophagectomy. Further consideration is required regarding the efficacy of long-term surveillance.

Whole-Body MRI Surveillance—Baseline Findings in the Swedish Multicentre Hereditary TP53-Related Cancer Syndrome Study (SWEP53)

A surveillance strategy of the heritable TP53-related cancer syndrome (hTP53rc), commonly referred to as the Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), is studied in a prospective observational nationwide multi-centre study in Sweden (SWEP53). The aim of this sub-study is to evaluate whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) regarding the rate of malignant, indeterminate, and benign imaging findings and the associated further workup generated by the baseline examination. Individuals with hTP53rc were enrolled in a surveillance program including annual whole-body MRI (WB-MRI), brain-MRI, and in female carriers, dedicated breast MRI. A total of 68 adults ≥18 years old have been enrolled to date. Of these, 61 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the baseline MRI scan. In total, 42 showed a normal scan, while 19 (31%) needed further workup, of whom three individuals (3/19 = 16%) were diagnosed with asymptomatic malignant tumours (thyroid cancer, disseminated upper GI cancer, and liver metastasis from a previous breast cancer). Forty-three participants were women, of whom 21 had performed risk-reducing mastectomy prior to inclusion. The remaining were monitored with breast MRI, and no breast tumours were detected on baseline MRI. WB-MRI has the potential to identify asymptomatic tumours in individuals with hTP53rc syndrome. The challenge is to adequately and efficiently investigate all indeterminate findings. Thus, a multidisciplinary team should be considered in surveillance programs for individuals with hTP53rc syndrome.

Cost-Effective Method to Perform SARS-CoV-2 Variant Surveillance: Detection of Alpha, Gamma, Lambda, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta in Argentina

SARS-CoV-2 variants with concerning characteristics have emerged since the end of 2020. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants was performed on a total of 4,851 samples from the capital city and 10 provinces of Argentina, during 51 epidemiological weeks (EWs) that covered the end of the first wave and the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country (EW 44/2020 to EW 41/2021). The surveillance strategy was mainly based on Sanger sequencing of a Spike coding region that allows the identification of signature mutations associated with variants. In addition, whole-genome sequences were obtained from 637 samples. The main variants found were Gamma and Lambda, and to a lesser extent, Alpha, Zeta, and Epsilon, and more recently, Delta. Whereas, Gamma dominated in different regions of the country, both Gamma and Lambda prevailed in the most populated area, the metropolitan region of Buenos Aires. The lineages that circulated on the first wave were replaced by emergent variants in a term of a few weeks. At the end of the ongoing second wave, Delta began to be detected, replacing Gamma and Lambda. This scenario is consistent with the Latin American variant landscape, so far characterized by a concurrent increase in Delta circulation and a stabilization in the number of cases. The cost-effective surveillance protocol presented here allowed for a rapid response in a resource-limited setting, added information on the expansion of Lambda in South America, and contributed to the implementation of public health measures to control the disease spread in Argentina.

P-OGC59 Pattern of recurrence following neoadjuvant treatment and two-stage oesophagectomy for oesophageal/junctional adenocarcinoma: 10-year results from a high-volume centre

Background Disease recurrence remains high following oesophagectomy for oesophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma in spite of the incremental gains from improved neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). Follow-up remains important for the detection and treatment of recurrence, although the optimum surveillance strategy remains undefined. Recurrence after treatment can occur locoregionally, distantly, or a combination of both. This retrospective review of a single, high-volume centre’s 10-year experience has sought to determine the pattern of recurrence in those who have received curative NAT followed by two-stage subtotal oesophagectomy (2S-STO) for oesophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of patients from a high-volume, single centre between January 2009 and January 2019 who had confirmed disease recurrence after receiving NAT and 2S-STO for either oesophageal or junctional (Siewert I/II) adenocarcinoma. The Unit’s prospectively collected cancer database was utilised as well as patients’ notes to determine the pattern of recurrence seen in this cohort. Patients receiving a three-stage or transhiatal oesophagectomy for any cause, or those diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma were excluded. Results 215 patients were identified with recurrence following NAT and 2S-STO for oesophageal/junctional adenocarcinoma within the 10-year period. The median age was 69 (range 23-85) with 67% being male and 33% female. The median time to diagnosis of recurrence was 13 months following surgery. 87 (40%) patients were diagnosed with locoregional recurrence, with the commonest pattern being in mediastinal or abdominal lymph nodes, followed by peritoneal disease. 62 (29%) patients were diagnosed with distant recurrence, with the vast majority being in the liver or lungs. 66 (31%) patients had evidence of both locoregional and distant spread at diagnosis of recurrence. Conclusions The incidence of recurrence following curative treatment for oesophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma remains high. Locoregional disease appears to be the commonest pattern of recurrence as identified in this study, which would confirm spread predominates via the lymphatic and transcoelomic routes. Liver and lung remain the commonest sites for haematogenous spread, although other sites include adrenal, brain and bone. Although the optimum follow-up strategy remains undefined in such patients, timely investigation of symptoms is required for early diagnosis so as to optimise the benefits of palliative treatment.

Dendritic Cell Migration Is Tuned by Mechanical Stiffness of the Confining Space

The coordination of cell migration of immune cells is a critical aspect of the immune response to pathogens. Dendritic cells (DCs), the sentinels of the immune system, are exposed to complex tissue microenvironments with a wide range of stiffnesses. Recent studies have revealed the importance of mechanical cues in immune cell trafficking in confined 3D environments. However, the mechanism by which stiffness modulates the intrinsic motility of immature DCs remains poorly understood. Here, immature DCs were found to navigate confined spaces in a rapid and persistent manner, surveying a wide range when covered with compliant gels mimicking soft tissues. However, the speed and persistence time of random motility were both decreased by confinement in gels with higher stiffness, mimicking skin or diseased, fibrotic tissue. The impact of stiffness of surrounding tissue is crucial because most in vitro studies to date have been based on cellular locomotion when confined by microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane structures. Our study provides evidence for a role for environmental mechanical stiffness in the surveillance strategy of immature DCs in tissues.

A Multicenter Epidemiological Study on Second Malignancy in Non-Syndromic Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma Patients in Italy

No studies have carried out an extensive analysis of the possible association between non-syndromic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) and other malignancies. To assess the risk of additional malignancy in PPGL, we retrospectively evaluated 741 patients with PPGLs followed-up in twelve referral centers in Italy. Incidence of second malignant tumors was compared between this cohort and Italian patients with two subsequent malignancies. Among our patients, 95 (12.8%) developed a second malignant tumor, which were mainly prostate, colorectal and lung/bronchial cancers in males, breast cancer, differentiated thyroid cancer and melanoma in females. The standardized incidence ratio was 9.59 (95% CI 5.46–15.71) in males and 13.21 (95% CI 7.52–21.63) in females. At multivariable analysis, the risk of developing a second malignant tumor increased with age at diagnosis (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.15–5.44, p = 0.021 for 50–59 vs. <50-year category; HR 3.46, 95% CI 1.67–7.15, p < 0.001 for >60- vs. <50-year). In patients with available genetic evaluation, a positive genetic test was inversely associated with the risk of developing a second tumor (HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10–0.63, p = 0.003). In conclusion, PPGLs patients have higher incidence of additional malignant tumors compared to the general population who had a first malignancy, which could have an impact on the surveillance strategy.

Is There an Increasing Incidence of Gastroesophageal Junctional Adenocarcinoma and Barrett Esophagus in Asia? A Review of Diagnostic Conundrums

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Epidemiology data of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers in Asia are extremely scarce. It is hardly registered by any cancer registry in the region, and only a few reports are available. Based on existing literature works, the overall trend indicates similar or gradually increasing GEJ cancers in Asia but comparably less than the West. The increasing trend in Asia is likely a result of rising risk factors, especially of gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> However, epidemiology data may be misleading due to several contentious diagnostic issues. The diagnostic conundrums are due to inherent complexity of the GEJ as a functional and pathological unit. Challenging diagnostic issues in Asia include the following: nonstandardized landmark of the GEJ, misclassification of Barrett esophagus, targeted versus nontargeted tissue sampling, histopathology disagreement and challenges in screening or surveillance of dysplastic BE and early GEJ cancer. The recent Asian-Pacific survey led by the Asian Barrett Consortium (ABC) has provided useful insights into these contentious issues. A key learning point from these diagnostic limitations is that the awareness of the disease and adherence to existing recommendations or guidelines are poor in the region. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Standardization in diagnostic methodology is vital for accurate epidemiology data, and this can only come from better awareness and adherence through educational and international efforts. Last, surveillance strategy may need a paradigm shift from a purely diagnostic approach to a combined targeted surveillance and treatment approach using novel endoscopic techniques.

Islet Autoantibody Type-Specific Titer Thresholds Improve Stratification of Risk of Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in Children

OBJECTIVE: To utilize islet autoantibody titers to improve the estimation of future type 1 diabetes risk in children. <p>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective cohort studies in Finland, Germany, Sweden and the US followed 24,662 children at increased genetic or familial risk to develop islet autoimmunity and diabetes. For 1,604 children with confirmed positivity, titers of autoantibodies against insulin (IAA), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) and insulinoma-associated antigen-2 (IA-2A) were harmonized for diabetes risk analyses.</p> <p>RESULTS: Survival analysis from time of confirmed positivity revealed markedly different 5-year diabetes risks associated with IAA (n=909), GADA (n=1076) or IA-2A (n=714), when stratified by quartiles of titer, ranging from 19% (GADA 1^st quartile) to 60% (IA-2A 4^th quartile). The minimum titer associated with a maximum difference in 5-year risk differed for each autoantibody, corresponding to the 58.6^th, 52.4^th and 10.2^nd percentile of children specifically positive for each of IAA, GADA and IA-2A, respectively. Using these autoantibody type-specific titer thresholds in the 1,481 children with all autoantibodies tested, the 5-year risk conferred by single (n=954) and multiple (n=527) autoantibodies could be stratified from 6% to 75% (p<0.0001). The thresholds effectively identified children with 50% or higher 5-year risk when considering age-specific autoantibody screening (57-65% positive predictive value and 56-74% sensitivity for ages 1-5 years). Multivariable analysis confirmed the significance of associations between the three autoantibody titers and diabetes risk, informing a childhood risk surveillance strategy.</p> <p>CONCLUSIONS: This study defined islet autoantibody type-specific titer thresholds that significantly improved type 1 diabetes risk stratification in children.</p>

Islet Autoantibody Type-Specific Titer Thresholds Improve Stratification of Risk of Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in Children

OBJECTIVE: To utilize islet autoantibody titers to improve the estimation of future type 1 diabetes risk in children. <p>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective cohort studies in Finland, Germany, Sweden and the US followed 24,662 children at increased genetic or familial risk to develop islet autoimmunity and diabetes. For 1,604 children with confirmed positivity, titers of autoantibodies against insulin (IAA), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) and insulinoma-associated antigen-2 (IA-2A) were harmonized for diabetes risk analyses.</p> <p>RESULTS: Survival analysis from time of confirmed positivity revealed markedly different 5-year diabetes risks associated with IAA (n=909), GADA (n=1076) or IA-2A (n=714), when stratified by quartiles of titer, ranging from 19% (GADA 1^st quartile) to 60% (IA-2A 4^th quartile). The minimum titer associated with a maximum difference in 5-year risk differed for each autoantibody, corresponding to the 58.6^th, 52.4^th and 10.2^nd percentile of children specifically positive for each of IAA, GADA and IA-2A, respectively. Using these autoantibody type-specific titer thresholds in the 1,481 children with all autoantibodies tested, the 5-year risk conferred by single (n=954) and multiple (n=527) autoantibodies could be stratified from 6% to 75% (p<0.0001). The thresholds effectively identified children with 50% or higher 5-year risk when considering age-specific autoantibody screening (57-65% positive predictive value and 56-74% sensitivity for ages 1-5 years). Multivariable analysis confirmed the significance of associations between the three autoantibody titers and diabetes risk, informing a childhood risk surveillance strategy.</p> <p>CONCLUSIONS: This study defined islet autoantibody type-specific titer thresholds that significantly improved type 1 diabetes risk stratification in children.</p>