Project description:ImportanceColorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and nearly 70% of patients with this cancer have unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLMs). Compared with chemotherapy, liver transplant has been reported to improve survival in patients with CRLMs, but in North America, liver allograft shortages make the use of deceased-donor allografts for this indication problematic.ObjectiveTo examine survival outcomes of living-donor liver transplant (LDLT) for unresectable, liver-confined CRLMs.Design, setting, and participantsThis prospective cohort study included patients at 3 North American liver transplant centers with established LDLT programs, 2 in the US and 1 in Canada. Patients with liver-confined, unresectable CRLMs who had demonstrated sustained disease control on oncologic therapy met the inclusion criteria for LDLT. Patients included in this study underwent an LDLT between July 2017 and October 2020 and were followed up until May 1, 2021.ExposuresLiving-donor liver transplant.Main outcomes and measuresPerioperative morbidity and mortality of treated patients and donors, assessed by univariate statistics, and 1.5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of recurrence-free and overall survival for transplant recipients.ResultsOf 91 evaluated patients, 10 (11%) underwent LDLT (6 [60%] male; median age, 45 years [range, 35-58 years]). Among the 10 living donors, 7 (70%) were male, and the median age was 40.5 years (range, 27-50 years). Kaplan-Meier estimates for recurrence-free and overall survival at 1.5 years after LDLT were 62% and 100%, respectively. Perioperative morbidity for both donors and recipients was consistent with established standards (Clavien-Dindo complications among recipients: 3 [10%] had none, 3 [30%] had grade II, and 4 [40%] had grade III; donors: 5 [50%] had none, 4 [40%] had grade I, and 1 had grade III).Conclusions and relevanceThis study's findings of recurrence-free and overall survival rates suggest that select patients with unresectable, liver-confined CRLMs may benefit from total hepatectomy and LDLT.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy have a 5-year survival rate of approximately 10 per cent. Liver transplantation using strict selection criteria in patients with colorectal cancer and unresectable liver-only disease will result in a 5-year survival rate of 56-83 per cent. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) after liver transplantation using extended criteria for both patients and donors.MethodsThis was a prospective single-arm study. Patients with synchronous unresectable CRLM who were not suitable for arms A, B or C of the SEcondary CAncer (SECA) II study who had undergone radical resection of the primary tumour and received chemotherapy were included; they underwent liver transplantation with extended criteria donor grafts. Patients who had resectable pulmonary metastases were eligible for inclusion. The main exclusion criteria were BMI above 30 kg/m2 and liver metastases larger than 10 cm. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsTen patients (median age 54 years; 3 women) were included. They had an extensive liver tumour load with a median of 20 (range 1-45) lesions; the median size of the largest lesion was 59 (range 15-94) mm. Eight patients had (y)pN2 disease, six had poorly differentiated or signet ring cell-differentiated primary tumours, and five had primary tumour in the ascending colon. The median Fong clinical risk score was 3 (range 2-5) and the median Oslo score was 1 (range 1-4). The median plasma carcinoembryonic antigen level was 4·3 (range 2-4346) μg/l. Median disease-free and overall survival was 4 and 18 months respectively.ConclusionPatients with unresectable liver-only CRLM undergoing liver transplantation with extended patient and donor criteria have relatively short overall survival.
Project description:We have performed gene expression profiling of surgically resected liver metastases by exon-resolution microarrays, and identified a metastasis-oriented subtyping framework consisting of 5 de novo transcriptomic subtypes (LMS1-5).
Project description:The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using mouse models for translational study of flexor tendon repair and reconstruction.MethodsQuantitative data detailing the gross anatomy, biomechanical characteristics, and microscopic structure of the deep digit flexor tendon (DDF) of the mouse hindpaw were obtained. Histological characterization of the DDF and the anatomy of the digit in the mouse hindpaw are detailed. Biomechanical testing determined the load-to-failure, stress, elastic modulus, and the site of tendon failure.ResultsIn gross anatomy, the origins and insertions of the mouse deep digit flexor tendon are similar to those of the human digit, surrounded by a synovial sheath that is only 1- to 2-cells thick. A neurovascular network runs on each side of the digit outside the synovial sheath, but does not clearly penetrate it. The thickness of the DDF is 0.14 ± 0.03 mm and the width is 0.3 ± 0.03 mm. The thickness of the DDF is less than that of 9-0 nylon needle. The mean failure force of the deep flexor tendon was 2.79 ± 0.53N.ConclusionsThe gross anatomy of the mouse hindpaw digit is similar to that of the human digit except for key differences seen in the synovial sheath and vascular supply. The dimensions of the mouse DDF make it challenging to create a clinically translatable repair model using currently available surgical techniques. Despite the similarities between the human and mouse anatomy, and the powerful basic science tools available in murine models, mice are an unreliable model for assessing flexor tendon injury and repair.
Project description:Mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene have been described in girls with Rett-like features and early-onset epileptic encephalopathy including infantile spasms. Milder phenotypes have been associated with sequence variations in the 3'-end of the CDKL5 gene. Identification of novel CDKL5 transcripts coding isoforms characterized by an altered C-terminal region strongly questions the eventual pathogenicity of sequence variations located in the 3'-end of the gene. We investigated a group of 30 female patients with a clinically heterogeneous phenotype ranging from nonspecific intellectual disability to a severe neonatal encephalopathy and identified two heterozygous CDKL5 missense mutations, the previously reported p.Val999Met and the novel mutation p.Pro944Thr. However, these mutations have also been detected in their healthy father. Considering our results and all data from the literature, we suggest that genetic variations beyond the codon 938 in human CDKL5115 protein may have minor or no significance. It is probable that screening of exons 19-21 of the CDKL5 gene is not useful in practical molecular diagnosis of atypical Rett syndrome.
Project description:Because of inherent differences between deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) liver grafts, we hypothesize that the molecular signatures will be unique, correlating with specific biologic pathways and clinical patterns. Microarray profiles of 63 biopsies in 13 DD and 8 LD liver grafts done at serial time points (procurement, backbench and postreperfusion)were compared between groups using class comparisons, network and biological function analyses. Specific genes were validated by quantitative PCR and immunopathology. Clinical findings were also compared. Following reperfusion, 579 genes in DD grafts and 1324 genes in LDs were differentially expressed (p < 0.005). Many upregulated LD genes were related to regeneration, biosynthesis and cell cycle, and a large number of downregulated genes were linked to hepatic metabolism and energy pathways correlating with posttransplant clinical laboratory findings. There was significant upregulation of inflammatory/immune genes in both DD and LD, each with a distinct pattern. Gene expression patterns of select genes associated with inflammation and regeneration in LD and DD grafts correlated with protein expression. Unique patterns of early gene expression are seen in LD and DD liver grafts, correlating with protein expression and clinical results, demonstrating distinct inflammatory profiles and significant downregulation of metabolic pathways in LD grafts.
Project description:Based on very high response rates in the relapsed and refractory setting, brentuximab vedotin and the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, have quickly been incorporated into clinical trials for first- and second-line therapy of Hodgkin lymphoma. Preliminary data show that brentuximab vedotin alone is not adequate therapy for newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma in older patients, but modestly decreases the risk of relapse when combined with adriamycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in patients with previously untreated advanced-stage disease. In second-line therapy, combining brentuximab vedotin with conventional chemotherapy or with PD-1 inhibitors as pretransplant salvage is associated with high overall and complete response rates, although further follow up is needed to assess whether posttransplant outcomes are improved. Although these new drugs are well tolerated when given as single agents, unexpected toxicities have been encountered with combination regimens, specifically severe pulmonary toxicity with the bleomycin and brentuximab vedotin combination and frequent infusion-related reactions. There is concern with the use of PD-1 inhibitors as first-line therapy due to the theoretical potential for more frequent or severe immune-mediated toxicities in patients who have not received prior chemotherapy. Aside from these concerns, these new agents have the potential to improve outcomes for patients even further, bringing us closer to eradicating recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma.
Project description:BACKGROUND: The necessity of widening the indications for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been emphasised. Clarification of the advantages and limitations of using a left liver graft for LDLT in adults is essential for donor safety. METHODS: Between June 1990 and November 2002, 185 patients underwent LDLT at Shinshu University Hospital, Japan. In 97 of these, the graft comprised the left liver with or without the left portion of the caudate lobe. The peri-hepatectomy profiles of the donors, significance of left liver grafts, postoperative courses of the donors and recipients, and survival of the recipients were investigated. RESULTS: All the donors recovered well and returned to a normal lifestyle. None required banked-blood transfusion or repeat surgery, and postoperative liver function tests had satisfactory results. The cold ischaemic time for the graft was 127+/-54 minutes. The graft volumes (GVs) ranged from 230 to 625 ml, and GV/standard liver volume (SV) ratios varied from 22% to 65%, at the time of transplantation. Although 85% of the liver grafts had GV/SV ratios <50%, no patient developed immediate postoperative liver failure. Patient survival rates were 89%, 84% and 84% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. DISCUSSION: Although LDLT using a left liver graft imposes potential postoperative complications (a small liver is more vulnerable to injury, and recipients of small grafts are at higher risk of complications during recovery), such grafts have yielded acceptable results in adult LDLT, with minimal burden to the donors.
Project description:Because of inherent differences between deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) liver grafts, we hypothesize that the molecular signatures will be unique, correlating with specific biologic pathways and clinical patterns. Following reperfusion, 579 genes in DD grafts and 1324 genes in LDs were differentially expressed (p<0.005). Many up-regulated LD genes were related to regeneration, biosynthesis and cell cycle, and a large number of down-regulated genes were linked to hepatic metabolism and energy pathways correlating with post-transplant clinical laboratory findings. There was significant up-regulation of inflammatory/immune genes in both DD and LD, each with a distinct pattern. Gene expression patterns of select genes associated with inflammation and regeneration in LD and DD grafts correlated with protein expression. Unique patterns of early gene expression are seen in LD and DD liver grafts, correlating with protein expression and clinical results, demonstrating distinct inflammatory profiles and significant down-regulation of metabolic pathways in LD grafts. Experiment Overall Design: Microarray profiles of 63 biopsies in 13 DD and 8 LD liver grafts done at serial time points (procurement - No Manipulation, backbench - Cold Preservation, and 1-hour post-reperfusion - Post reperfusion) were compared between groups using class comparisons, network and biological function analyses. Specific genes were validated by quantitative PCR and immunopathology. Clinical findings were also compared.