Despite conventional treatment modalities, gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains a highly lethal malignancy. Prognostic biomarkers and effective adjuvant immunotherapy for GBC are not available. In the recent past, immunotherapeutic approaches targeting tumor associated inflammation have gained importance but the mediators of inflammatory circuit remain unexplored in GBC patients. In the current prospective study, we investigated the role of IL17 producing TCRcdand regulatory T cells (Tregs) in pathogenesis of GBC. Analysis by multi-color flow cytometry revealed that compared to healthy individuals (HI), Tcd17, Th17 and Tc17 cells were increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of GBC patients. Tregs were decreased in PBMCs but increased in TILs of GBC patients. The suppressive potential of Tregs from GBC patients and HI were comparable. Serum cytokines profile of GBC patients showed elevated levels of cytokines (IL6, IL23 and IL1b) required for polarization and/or stabilization of IL17 producing cells. We demonstrated that Tcd17 cells migrate toward tumor bed using CXCL9-CXCR3 axis. IL17 secreted by Tcd17 induced productions of vascular endothelial growth factor and other angiogenesis related factors in GBC cells. Tcd17 cells promote vasculogenesis as studied by chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Survival analysis showed that Tcd17, Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood were associated with poor survival of GBC patients. Our findings suggest that Tcd17 is a protumorigenic subtype of cdT cells which induces angiogenesis. Tcd17 may be considered as a predictive biomarker in GBC thus opening avenues for targeted therapies.

MDCT with angiography or MRI/MRCP should constitute the first imaging modality in suspected pancreatic adenocarcinomas. EUS is recommended for assessing lesions not clearly detected, but suspected, on CT/MRI and in tumours considered 'borderline resectable' on MDCT to assess vascular involvement. PET-CT in locally advanced lesions will help rule out distant metastases.

Background:Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACTRT) improves local recurrence rate in locally advanced (LA) rectal cancer with no survival benefit. Pathological complete response (pCR) post-NACTRT is associated with improved outcome. Debate is ongoing as to when would be the opportune time to operate.Aim:To determine if greater down-staging can be achieved by a longer time interval from NACTRT to surgery (tumor regression score [TRS]) and whether this would impact sphincter saving surgery rates and early relapse rates.Materials and Methods:A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients with LA rectal adenocarcinoma treated from January 2012 to August 2013 was carried out. One hundred and ten patients who completed NACTRT (50 Gy/25 fractions with capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice daily) followed by surgical resection were included. For response evaluation patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 (TRS ≤60 days, n = 42) and 2 (TRS >60 days, n = 68). Tumor down-staging, pCR rate, tumor regression grade (TRG) post-NACTRT and relapse rates were correlated with TRS.Results:Of 110 patients (median age: 49 years (21-73), 71% males; 18 (16.5%) with signet ring histology) 96% patients underwent an R0 resection. Post-NACTRT, CR was attained in 5 (4.5%), partial response in 98 (89%) and stable disease in 7 (6.4%) patients. Median time from completion of NACTRT to surgery was 64.5 days (6-474). Median lymph nodes harvested were 10 (1-50). Overall, 22 (20%) patients achieved pCR. 26 (62%) patients in Group 1 compared to 36 (53%) in Group 2 underwent sphincter sparing surgery (SSS) (P = 0.357). Six patients (14%) in Group 1 and 16 (24%) in Group 2 achieved pCR (P = 0.24). Median TRG in both groups was three.Conclusion:Timing of surgery following NACTRT for LA rectal cancer does not influence pathological response, ability to perform SSS or disease-free survival. There is no incremental benefit of delaying the surgery though this needs to be confirmed in a prospective randomized trial.

Resection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) for malignancy is a technically demanding procedure. We present a series of six cases of resection of the IVC for retroperitoneal sarcomas, four of which were primary caval tumors. We outline the technical difficulties faced in these complex procedures and discuss the oncological outcomes of these rare tumors. We performed a retrospective review of six patients operated for retroperitoneal masses involving the inferior vena cava between April 2015 and July 2016 at our tertiary care institute. Six patients underwent resection of the IVC, three of which required a multivisceral resection. An artificial prosthesis was used to reconstruct the IVC in three patients, whereas two patients underwent primary repair of the vein wall. One patient did not require any reconstruction. Margins were microscopically positive in two out of six patients. All patients received radiotherapy, either in the neo-adjuvant or adjuvant setting. Two patients developed local recurrences with a median follow-up of 24.5 months. Resection of the IVC for extirpation of retroperitoneal sarcomas is a technically complex and difficult procedure. The availability of a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and state-of-the-art intensive care support is essential for good outcomes.

CD3+ TILs may serve as independent marker of good prognosis in IDC breast. The findings of this study need further validation on a larger sample size.

Han, H-S. (2022). Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography: an international expert consensus. Abdominal radiology (New York), 47(2), 554-565.

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Extranodal follicular dendritic cell sarcomas (FDCSs) are an uncommon entity, commonly misdiagnosed because of the morphologic similarities with other neoplasias. Previously, FDCSs were not considered a differential diagnosis because of the limited use of immunohistochemistry. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for localized FDCS. The role of chemotherapy has not been determined for this rare disease. We report 2 cases of metastatic extranodal intra-abdominal FDCS, initially misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor, their clinicopathological features, literature review, and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy.