Biomarkers And Immunotherapy Of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Cancers

Hepatic-biliary-pancreatic cancers, mainly including hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, are highly aggressive malignancies with few treatment options and poor prognoses. Effects of the traditional systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are quite limited to hepatic-biliary-pancreatic cancers. For the patients who suffer from hepatic-biliary-pancreatic cancer and lose the opportunity of radical surgery, few targeted drugs are available. Even for the drugs in clinical trial, potential drug targets and prognostic biomarkers for hepatic-biliary-pancreatic cancer are less studied compared to other common cancers such as lung cancer. Prognostic biomarker study is the initiation to explore new drug targets and revelation of the underlying mechanisms of tumor progression. Immunotherapy, especially PD1 or PD-L1 antagonists, has exhibited potent treatment effects on cancers. To date, many PD1 drugs are available for cancer treatment, and more than one hundred PD1 drugs are in clinical trial. However, how to screen out the sensitive patients and predict the efficacy of immunotherapy are still unsolved problems. Moreover, the predictive biomarkers and treatment guidelines of immunotherapy for hepatobiliary tumors are barely investigated.

Identification and development of cancer biomarkers and targets have greatly accelerated progress towards precision medicine in oncology. Studies of tumor biology have not only provided insights into the mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis, but also led to discovery of molecules that have been developed into cancer biomarkers and targets. Multi-platforms for molecular characterization of tumors using next-generation genomic sequencing, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and blood-based biopsies have greatly expanded the portfolio of potential biomarkers and targets. These cancer biomarkers have been developed for diagnosis, early detection, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response. The molecular targets have been exploited for anti-cancer therapy and delivery of therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of Biomedicines focuses on recent advances in the discovery, characterization, translation, and clinical application of cancer biomarkers and targets in malignant diseases of the digestive system. The goal is to stimulate basic and translational research and clinical collaboration in this exciting field with the hope of developing strategies for prevention and early detection/diagnosis of cancer in digestive organs, and improving therapeutic and psychosocial outcomes in patients with these malignant diseases.

In this book we provide insights into liver – cancer and immunology. Experts in the field provide an overview over fundamental immunological questions in liver cancer and tumorimmunology, which form the base for immune based approaches in HCC, which gain increasing interest in the community due to first promising results obtained in early clinical trials. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer related death in the United States. Treatment options are limited. Viral hepatitis is one of the major risk factors for HCC, which represents a typical “inflammation-induced” cancer. Immune-based treatment approaches have revolutionized oncology in recent years. Various treatment strategies have received FDA approval including dendritic cell vaccination, for prostate cancer as well as immune checkpoint inhibition targeting the CTLA4 or the PD1/PDL1 axis in melanoma, lung, and kidney cancer. Additionally, cell based therapies (adoptive T cell therapy, CAR T cells and TCR transduced T cells) have demonstrated significant efficacy in patients with B cell malignancies and melanoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in particular have generated enormous excitement across the entire field of oncology, providing a significant benefit to a minority of patients.

This book describes the pathways of dissemination of primary liver, biliary, and pancreatic neoplasms and proposes a practical and clinically driven approach to their imaging. The typical dissemination pathways for hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, and neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors are systematically reviewed, and more unusual pathways are also documented. The content is presented in an extremely schematic way, with numerous high-quality graphical illustrations and multimodality images (US, CT, MRI, and PET) that are accompanied by clear explanatory text. The clinical significance of findings and potential therapeutic options are explained whenever appropriate. In addition, relevant background information is provided on the role of morphopathological drivers of cancer spread and anatomy.

Handbook of Gastrointestinal Cancers is a practical guide to the management of colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, gastric, and esophageal cancers as well as other cancers of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Edited by a multidisciplinary group of oncologists from leading institutions, this book is an essential day-to-day reference for evidence-based treatment and patient care. The handbook focuses on treatment strategies and approaches to cancerous gastrointestinal tumors that are transforming the recent oncological landscape, including expert-given guidance on methods such as neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, surgical transplant, radiation therapy, molecular diagnostic testing leading to molecularly targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. With so many advances in the current field, it is increasingly difficult for early-career practitioners to grasp the entirety of practices and for seasoned oncologists to keep up with newly approved therapies, side effects to treatments, and special clinical management considerations, but this handbook addresses it all. Organized by major gastrointestinal disease sites and featuring “How I Treat” case vignettes from world experts for common and uncommon management considerations, the handbook brings an experience-based perspective to these tough-to-treat areas. The treatment strategies and applications set forth in the chapters are pertinent to situations and decision-making encountered in practice. Handbook of Gastrointestinal Cancers is a valuable resource for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgeons treating and managing gastrointestinal cancers as well as trainees in medical, radiation, and surgical oncology programs needing an accessible point of care resource. KEY FEATURES: Provides treatment plans and recommendations for each stage of a range of gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and hepatocellular cancers plus more Includes “How I Treat” patient vignettes told from the physician’s point of view within each clinical chapter Outlines special considerations for the elderly and for survivors of gastrointestinal cancers Highlights important clinical guidance on nutritional and palliative concerns commonly seen in patients with gastrointestinal cancers

This unique textbook provides a concise and practical approach to clinical dilemmas involving the liver, pancreas, and biliary tree. Six major sections encompass (1) Hepatic, (2) Biliary, (3) Pancreas, (4) Transplantation, (5) Trauma, and (6) Innovative Technology. Each topic is written by recognized experts from an "e;experiential"e; viewpoint combined with evidence-based medicine. The book contains over 170 chapters and over 350 contributors. It is relevant to Surgical Oncologists, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgeons, Transplant Surgeons, Traumatologists, HPB Interventionalists, General Surgeons, and trainees and students. The title of each chapter is in a form of a clinical scenario and each chapter begins with a Case Scenario and ends with Salient Points. Special debates are included in each section. There are numerous compelling images, detailed illustrations, comprehensive tables, thorough algorithms, and other adjunctive tools that enhance learning. The authors emanate from different corners of the world. The book is a valuable resource for faculty, students, surgical trainees, fellows, and all health care providers in the HPB/Trauma/Transplant/Oncology fields.