Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Pancreatic cancer relies on glutamine(Gln)in its carcinogenesis.Gln metabolism is reprogrammed by multiple oncogenes and their downstream effectors in pancreatic cancer cells.The Gln dependence and its underlying molecular mechanisms can potentially be exploited as therapeutic targets.Recent research on the meta-bolic remodeling of Gln in pancreatic cancer has primarily focused on the inhibition of key enzymes,the impact on chemotherapy resistance,and the application of Gln antagonists.The progress in understanding Gln metabolism in pancreatic cancer offers valuable insights into potential novel therapeutic strategies.

To investigate the differences in postoperative short-term complications and long-term prognosis of pancreatic cancer(PC) patients after total pancreatectomy(TP) and pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD).

Objective:To analyze the clinical and radiological features of patients with resected pancreatic serous cystic neoplasm (SCN).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and radiological data of 172 patients with pancreatic SCN who underwent surgical resection and were pathological confirmed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2014 to April 2022. These patients were categorized into two cohorts including 2014—2018 cohort ( n=84) and 2019—2022 ( n=88) for comparative analysis based on the operation time. Results:The radiological diagnostic accuracy for SCN was found to be notably low at 11.6%(20/172), which was mostly misdiagnosed as mucinous cystic neoplasms (86/172, 50.0%) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (35/172, 20.3%). No statistically significant variance was observed on the misdiagnosis rate between the two cohorts. There was a substantial increase of the number of lesions located in pancreatic body and tail (76.1% vs 53.6%, P=0.004) and a marked decrease in the number of those located in pancreatic head and neck (22.7% vs 39.3%, P=0.019) in 2019-2022 cohort, compared to the 2014-2018 cohort. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the occurrence of SCN calcification and peri-lesional venous alterations (22.8% vs 45.1%, P=0.006; 25.0% vs 46.4%, P=0.003), a decrease in the presence of fibrous scarring within SCN (31.8% vs 45.2%, P=0.070), and an increase in cases with dilatation of the upstream main pancreatic duct (28.2% vs 16.3%, P=0.065). The clinical characteristics and the rate of postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the two cohorts. Complication rates after pancreatoduodenectomy were significantly higher than those following distal pancreatectomy (46.4% vs 22.9%, P=0.010). The presence of clinical symptoms was significantly linked to the size of SCN and the expansion of the main pancreatic duct (45.4% vs 29.3%, P=0.032; 64.9% vs 31.2%, P<0.001). Conclusions:The accuracy of preoperative radiological diagnosis for SCN is still low, with a noted increase in the proportion of SCN exhibiting atypical radiological features in recent years. The frequency of postoperative complications is relatively high and does not have an obvious decreased trend.

Background::Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can detect lesions hidden in inflammatory regions and find necrosis or areas of severe fibrosis within the lesion. This retrospective study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of solid pancreatic lesions using percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with or without CEUS assessment.Methods::Clinical, imaging, and pathologic data of 181 patients from January 2014 to December 2018 in Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, with solid pancreatic masses who underwent percutaneous US-FNA and ThinPrep cytologic test were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into CEUS and US groups according to whether CEUS was performed before the biopsy. According to FNA cytology diagnoses, we combined non-diagnostic, neoplastic, and negative cases into a negative category. The positive category included malignant, suspicious, and atypical cases. The final diagnosis was confirmed by pathology or clinical and radiological follow-up for at least 12 months. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of US-FNA were evaluated between the two groups.Results::This study enrolled 107 male and 74 female patients (average age: 60 years). There were 58 cases in the US group and 123 cases in the CEUS group. No statistically significant differences in age, gender, or lesion size were found between the two groups. The diagnostic accuracy of the CEUS group was 95.1% (117/123), which was higher than the 86.2% (50/58) observed in the US group ( P = 0.036). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the CEUS group were increased by 7.5%, 16.7%, 3.4%, and 18.8%, respectively, compared with the US group. However, the differences of the two groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions::Compared with the conventional US, the use of CEUS could improve the biopsy accuracy and avoid the need for a repeat biopsy, especially for some complicated FNA cases.

A 15-year-old female was referred to the hospital with intermittent fever, where multiple systemic abnormalities were found, such as splenomegaly, secondary hypersplenism, retinitis pigmentosa, and ectodermal dysplasia. Medical history revealed that she had suffered recurrent respiratory infections, blurred vision at night, and dysplasia of teeth and nail beds since childhood. Then she was suspected to be experiencing ROSAH syndrome, a rare disease newly recognized in recent years, which was finally confirmed by gene sequencing results. During a course of treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, recurrent fever with elevated inflammatory markers reappeared, and the child developed headaches. To guide the comprehensive treatment and improve the patient's quality of life, the multidisciplinary team in Peking Union Medical College Hospital discussed together and directed the following treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has poor prognosis due to limited therapeutic options. This study examines the roles of genome-wide association study identified PDAC-associated genes as therapeutic targets. We have identified HNF4G gene whose silencing most effectively repressed PDAC cell invasiveness. HNF4G overexpression is induced by the deficiency of transcriptional factor and tumor suppressor SMAD4. Increased HNF4G are correlated with SMAD4 deficiency in PDAC tumor samples and associated with metastasis and poor survival time in xenograft animal model and in patients with PDAC (log-rank P = 0.036; HR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.03-2.47). We have found that Metformin suppresses HNF4G activity via AMPK-mediated phosphorylation-coupled ubiquitination degradation and inhibits in vitro invasion and in vivo metastasis of PDAC cells with SMAD4 deficiency. Furthermore, Metformin treatment significantly improve clinical outcomes and survival in patients with SMAD4-deficient PDAC (log-rank P = 0.022; HR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14-0.68) but not in patients with SMAD4-normal PDAC. Pathway analysis shows that HNF4G may act in PDAC through the cell-cell junction pathway. These results indicate that SMAD4 deficiency-induced overexpression of HNF4G plays a critical oncogenic role in PDAC progression and metastasis but may form a druggable target for Metformin treatment.

Objective:To summarize the atypical manifestations and treatment strategies of serous microcystic neoplasm of the pancreas.Methods:Review the case data of 11 cases of pancreatic serous microcystic adenoma with atypical preoperative clinical imaging findings admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2008 to October 2019, and summarize their clinical manifestations, CT/MRI features, and preoperative clinical diagnosis, surgical methods, postoperative conditions.Results:The median age of the 11 patients was 50 (46-66) years old, 7 females, and 4 males. There were 8 cases with back pain and 6 cases with weight loss. The preoperative imaging examination found that the lesion was located in the head and neck in 8 cases, with pancreaticobiliary duct dilatation in 7 cases, suspected vascular invasion in 3 cases, and pancreatic parenchymal atrophy in 2 cases, 3 cases showed rich blood supply and solid space, and 2 cases were connected to the pancreatic duct. Preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic malignant tumors accounted for 4 cases, neuroendocrine tumors in 3 cases, solid pseudopapillary tumors in 3 cases, and intraductal papillary mucinous tumors in 1 case. All patients underwent surgical treatment, 3 cases of distal pancreatectomy (2 cases of using Kimura method to protect the spleen), 3 cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy, 1 case of total pancreatectomy, 2 cases of pancreatic head resection with duodenum preservation, 2 cases of local resection. All patients had no early postoperative deaths. There were 2 cases of grade B pancreatic fistula, 2 cases of biochemical leakage, 1 case of postoperative abdominal hemorrhage, and 2 cases of delayed gastric emptying, all of which were cured after active treatment. The median postoperative hospital stay was 18 (7-63) days.Conclusions:Pancreatic serous microcystic neoplasm could be accompanied by atypical features such as pancreatic/bile duct dilation, parenchyma atrophy, or even present vessel invasion. Understanding the atypical clinic and image features would help improving differential diagnosis and treatment. For those with invasive features, surgical exploration should be recommended.

Neoadjuvant therapy has been one of the standard therapies for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but it may deteriorate these patients′ nutritional status while controlling the progress of cancer, which inevitably influences these patients′ postoperative outcomes and prognosis.In this article, we tried to answer this problem by reviewing other studies.And we found that neoadjuvant therapy would influence patients′ postoperative outcomes and prognosis by deteriorating their nutritional status.But effective nutritional support can prevent it.It indicates that there is a need for these patients to receive nutritional support as soon as possible.However, in consideration of the limited number of relevant studies and their limitations, there is a need for more studies with strict design to answer this problem.And it can provide evidence for early nutritional support in pancreatic cancer patients who is going to undergo neoadjuvant therapy.