Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective To explore the value of non-contrast CT findings of acute ischemic stroke(AIS)for predicting early prognosis after mechanical thrombectomy.Methods Data of 161 AIS patients from clinical center 1 who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into training set(n=113)and internal test set(n=48)at the ratio of 7∶3,while 79 AIS patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy from clinical center 2 were retrospectively enrolled as external test set.According to the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)scores 7 days after thrombectomy,patients'prognosis were classified as good(＜15 points)or poor(≥15 points).Pre-treatment non-contrast CT images of patients were reviewed,and CT findings were comparatively analyzed.Independent predictors of patients'early prognosis after mechanical thrombectomy were obtained with sequential univariate and multivariate logistic regressions,and a predicting model was established and visualized as a nomogram.The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the distinction was assessed with the area under the curve(AUC),then calibration was assessed with Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test,and the net benefit was evaluated with decision curve analysis(DCA).Results Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS),hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign(HMCAS)and basal ganglia calcification were all independent predictors of early prognosis of AIS after mechanical thrombectomy(all P＜0.05).The predictive model was established combining the above 3 variables and then visualized as a nomogram to predict prognosis of AIS after mechanical thrombectomy,with AUC of 0.776 in internal test set(χ2=6.052,P=0.417)and 0.800 in external test set(χ2=2.269,P=0.811).DCA showed that the nomogram might provide clinical net benefit within certain threshold probability ranges.Conclusion ASPECTS,HMCAS and basal ganglia calcification were all independent predictors of early prognosis of AIS after mechanical thrombectomy.The nomogram originated from predicting model combining the three could be used to somewhat accurately predict poor early prognosis after mechanical thrombectomy.

Radical resection is one of the important factors for improving the prognosis of patients with resectable carcinoma of head of the pancreas,carcinoma of the distal bile duct and periampullary carcinoma.In order to proceed with a R0 resection,there are many types of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic,biliary and periampullary carcinoma such as PD with lymphadenectomy.In this report,we described a PD with extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (D2 +) for the adenocarcinoma of the distal bile duct.The case presented underscores the feasibility and safety of PD with D2 + lymphadenectomy.

Objective To investigate the role of miR-200b on gemcitabine induced epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2.Methods Different concentrations of gemcitabine were used to induce MiaPaCa-2,and the concentration of 50％ cell proliferation inhibited (IC50) was applied to obtain drug-resistant MiaPaCa-2 cells.MiR-200b or nonsense small molecular fragments (negative control,NC) was transfected into MiaPaCa-2 cells by liposomes,then gemcitabine of IC50 was used to induce cells to obtain drug-resistant MiaPaCa-2 cells transfected with miR-200b or NC.The morphological characteristics of MiaPaCa-2 cells were observed by inverted microscope.Invasion of cells were detected by transwell chamber.The expression of miR-200b was measured by using real-time PCR.The expressions of Ecadherin,Vimentin,Zebl,Zeb2 proteins were determined by Western blot.Results After gemcitabine treatment,the cells' size gradually diminished,intercellular junctions decreased,pseudopodium increased,which presented the characteristics of mesenchymal morphology.The invaded cell number increased from (26 ± 3) to (85 ± 6),and the expression of Vimentin Zebl,Zeb2 was increased to (1.87 ± 0.17),(2.57 ±0.21),(5.24 ± 0.83) folds of the parent cells.The expression of miR-200b was decreased to (0.36 ± 0.01)folds of the parent cells,and the expression of E-cadherin was decreased to 0.47 ± 0.05 folds of the parent cells,while the invaded cell number of drug-resistant MiaPaCa-2 transfected with miR-200b was decreased to (42 ± 4),and the expression of Zebl,Zeb2 was decreased to (0.36 ± 0.07),(0.08 ± 0.01) folds of drugresistant MiaPaCa-2 transfected with NC.Conclusions The occurrence of EMT is observed in pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2 during gemcitabine induction,and miR-200b down-regulation may be a possible mechanism.

ObjectiveTo investigate the methylation of the promoter region in miRNA in pancreatic cancer cell line PANC1 and normal pancreatic tissue,to discover the miRNA with hypermethylation associated with pancreatic cancer.MethodsThe genomic DNA of PANC1 and normal pancreatic tissue was extracted,and fractured by ultrasound.Methylation DNA fragments were obtained by 5-methyl of pyrimidine nucleoside antibodies and immunomagnetic beads.The hypermethylation miRNA differentially expressed between PANC1 and normal pancreatic tissue was selected by using methylation DNA chip.BSP ( bisulfite genomic sequencing PCR) and TA clone sequencing was performed for further validation.The genomic DNA of pancreatic cancer cell lines BXPC3,CFPAC1,PANC1 and SW1990 was extracted.The COBRA (combined bisulfite restriction analysis) was used to validate differentially expressed hypermethylation miRNA.ResultsEight differentially expressed hypermethylation miRNAs were screened from the DNA methylation chips,then five of them were selected for sequencing.The methylation status of miRNA-615,-663,-663b was significantly higher in the PANC1 than in normal tissues (60.6％ vs 7.6％,88.8％ vs 22.2％,94.4％ vs 13.0％ ) ; the methylation status of miRNA-675 was not significantly different between PANC1 and normal pancreatic tissue (76.0％ vs 100％ ).Due to large error in sequencing,miRNA1826 was excluded.The results of COBRA confirmed all the 4 miRNAs were highly methylated in PANC1 ; except for miRNA-675,other 3 miRNAs were highly methylated in BxPC,miRNA-663,miRNA-663b were highly methylated in CFPAC1,while miRNA-615,miRNA-663 were highly methylated in SW1990.ConclusionsHypermethylation miRNAs were differentially expressed between pancreatic cancer cell lines and normal pancreatic tissue,among them,highly methylated miRNA-663 was possibly associated with pancreatic cancer.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of uncinate process first for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).MethodsThe clinical data of 19 patients admitted from December 2010 to March 2011,who underwent uncinate process first for PD were studied.ResultsAmong the 19 patients,there were 5 cases of periampullary adenocarcinoma,11 cases of pancreatic cancer,1 case of duodenum aggressive fibromatosis,1 case of main pancreatic duct type IPMN,1 case of SPN.During operation,3 patients (21％) were found to have abnormal or aberrant right hepatic artery.Among the 11 patients with pancreatic cancer,there are Peripancreatic lymph node(3 ～7) metastasis,in 7 cases,and nerve invasion occurred in 8 cases.All the N16 lymph nodes,pancreatic stump,bile duct margin,duodenum and retroperitoneal margin were negative,and all the cases were subjected to R0 resection.The median time for the portal vein blocking was 16 minutes.The average operation time was 4h and there was no major bleeding occurred,and the mean blood loss was 600 ml.No intractable diarrhea occurred post-operatively. Conclusions Uncinate process first for PD offers a comfortable,safe,accurate and controllable method to resect pancreatic head.

Objective To describe a novel technical modification of the uncinate process first approach with a retrograde dissection of the pancreatic head.Methods The authors described the surgical technique,and reported their preliminary experience.The surgical data,postoperative outcomes and pathological results of patients who were submitted to PD/PP PD (20 patients) and TP (3 patients) for pancreatic neoplasm using “the uncinate process first” technique between December 2010and May 2011 were reviewed.Retrograde resection of the pancreatic head was performed starting with the uncinate process after division of the first jejunal loop.The transection of the pancreas was the last operative step of the resection.The technical aspects and possible advantages of this procedure were discussed.Results The authors used this technique successfully in 23 patients.In 3 patients with a replaced or accessory RHA,the arteries were all successfully preserved.In another patient with a replaced HCA,the artery was also successfully preserved.In 1 patient with adenocarcinoma which involved the SMV,en-bloc vascular resection was carried out.Additionally,the authors used this technique on 3 patients with IPMN-2 and SPPN-1 to carry out total pancreatectomy.The uncinate process first was performed on 23 patients without any intraoperative and postoperative complication and massive bleeding.No patient required blood transfusion.The surgical margins,including retroperitoneal marginswere negative.Conclusions The “uncinate process first” approach can be used as an alternative approach in modern pancreatic surgery.Further studies are required to evaluate this procedure regarding operative parameters and postoperative outcomes when compared with the standard resectional procedure.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical management of adult choledochal cyst.Methods The clinical data of 58 adult patients with congenital choledochal cyst who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1997 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were diangosed by the B ultrasonography,computed tomography (CT),Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Surgical procedures were selected according to the diagnosis and Todani classification.All data were analyzed using the t test or chi-square test.Results The accurate rates of B sonography,CT,MRCP and ERCP were 78％ (45/58),92％ (23/25),9/9 and 5/5,respectively.Forty-one patients underwent complete excision of the cyst + hepaticojejunostomy (2 patients were converted from laparotomy due to abdominal adhesions),2 underwent resection of the cyst and involed hepatic segments + hepaticojejunostomy,8 underwent laparoscopic excision of the cyst + hepaticojejunostomy,1 underwent left hemihepatectomy,3 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy ( including partial hepatectomy in 1 patient),2 underwent common bile duct exploration + cholecystectomy due to acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis,1 underwent external drainage of choledochal cyst due to advanced malignance.The mean operation time and postoperative duration of hospital stay of patients who received open and laparoscopic excision of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy were (235 ± 70) minutes,(320 ± 50) minutes,and ( 10.0 ± 2.3 ) days,( 12.6 ±6.6) days,respectively,with significant differences between the 2 groups (t =3.157,2.162,P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative morbidities of patients who received open and laparoscopic excision of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy were 18％ (7/39) and 3/8,respectively,with no significant difference (x2 =1.515,P ＞ 0.05 ).Canceration of the choledochal cyst was observed in 6 patients( 10％ ).No perioperative mortality was observed,and the operative complication rate was 24％ (14/58).The duration of the follow up ranged from 1 to 15 years,no severe long-term complications were observed in patients with benign lesions.Four of the 6 patients with malignancy died in 1 year after operation,the other 2 patients survived for 3 years and 5 years,respectively.Conclusions Abdominal B ultrasonography should be the first choice for diagnosing adult congenital choledochal cyst,while MRCP is the gold standard.Surgical intervention should be timely considered once diagnosed. Complete excision of the cyst combined with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the first choice of treatment.

Objective To investigate the expression and methylation status of HOXA7 gene in human pancreatic cancer cell lines, and to explore the relationship between them.Methods HOXA7 mRNA expression of human pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC3, CFPAC1, PANC1 and SW1990was detected by RT PCR.Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) and combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) was used to test promoter methylation status.All the cell lines were treated by 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), and HOXA7mRNA expression, methylation status was detected before and after this treatment.Results HOXA7 mRNA was expressed in BxPC3, CFPAC1 and SW1990, while there was no expression of HOXA7 mRNA in PANC1.HOXA7 promoter methylation rates of CFPAC1, BxPC3, PANC1 and SW1990 were 93.16%, 90.65%,90.09% ,52.30%.HOXA7 promoter methylation rate of SW1990 was significantly lower than those in other 3cell lines ( P ＜0.01 ).After 5-aza-dC treatment, HOXA7 mRNA of PANC1 was expressed again, and HOXA7mRNA of BxPC3 was increasingly expressed;while the expression of HOXA7 mRNA in CFPAC1 and SW1990was not significantly changed after 5-aza-dC treatment.Conclusions The expression of HOXA7 mRNA in BxPC3 and PANC1 was closely correlated with promoter hypermethylation, while there was no obvious relation in CFPAC 1 and SW1990.