Various experimental studies indicate potential involvement of bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells (SCs) in malignancy development and progression. In this study, we comprehensively analysed systemic trafficking of various populations of BM-derived SCs (BMSCs), i.e., mesenchymal, haematopoietic, endothelial stem/progenitor cells (MSCs, HSCs, EPCs respectively), and of recently discovered population of very small embryonic/epiblast-like SCs (VSELs) in pancreatic cancer patients. Circulating CD133+/Lin−/CD45−/CD34+ cells enriched for HSCs, CD105+/STRO-1+/CD45− cells enriched for MSCs, CD34+/KDR+/CD31+/CD45− cells enriched for EPCs and small CXCR4+CD34+CD133+ subsets of Lin−CD45− cells that correspond to VSELs were enumerated and sorted from blood samples derived from 29 patients with pancreatic cancer, and 19 healthy controls. In addition, plasma levels of stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), growth/inhibitory factors and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P; chemoattractants for SCs), as well as, of complement cascade (CC) molecules (C3a, C5a and C5b-9/membrane attack complex – MAC) were measured. Higher numbers of circulating VSELs and MSCs were detected in pancreatic cancer patients (P < 0.05 and 0.01 respectively). This trafficking of BMSCs was associated with significantly elevated C5a (P < 0.05) and C5b-9/MAC (P < 0.005) levels together with S1P concentrations detected in plasma of cancer patients, and seemed to be executed in a SDF-1 independent manner. In conclusion, we demonstrated that in patients with pancreatic cancer, intensified peripheral trafficking of selected populations of BMSCs occurs. This phenomenon seems to correlate with systemic activation of the CC, hepatocyte growth factor and S1P levels. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate herein that systemic SDF-1 levels do not seem to be linked with increased mobilization of stem cells in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Background/AimsRecent experimental studies have suggested that various cytokines may be important players in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. However, these findings have not yet been verified in a clinical setting.MethodsIn this study, we examined the levels of a broad panel of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-23, as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 43), other pancreatic malignancies (neuroendocrine [n = 10] and solid pseudopapillary tumors [n = 3]), and healthy individuals (n = 41).ResultsWe found that there were higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNFα in patients with pancreatic cancer compared to healthy controls (for all, at least p<0.03). Cancer patients had lower IL-23 concentrations than healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with other types of malignancies (for both, p = 0.002). Levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-23 were significantly associated with the direct number of circulating bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal or very small embryonic/epiblast-like stem cells (SCs) in patients with pancreatic cancer. Moreover, our study identified a potential ability of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-23, and TNFα levels to enable discrimination of pancreatic cancer from other pancreatic tumors and diseases, including acute and chronic pancreatitis and post-pancreatitis cysts (with sensitivity and specificity ranging between 70%–82%).ConclusionsOur study i) supports the significance of selected cytokines in the clinical presentation of pancreatic cancer, ii) highlights numerous associations between selected interleukins and intensified BMSCs trafficking in patients with pancreatic cancer, and iii) preliminarily characterizes the diagnostic potential of several cytokines as potential novel clinical markers of pancreatic cancer in humans.

Introduction: EUS-guided ethanol ablation of insulinoma is a new method of treatment of this neuroendocrine tumour. Ablation is recommended in patients who are poor surgical candidates or refuse surgery. We present a case of an 81-year-old female with symptomatic insulinoma, treated successfully with EUS-guided alcoholic ablation, along with a literature review including 28 other previously described cases. The effectiveness, safety of the therapy, and technical procedure-related issues are summarised. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first described case of successful insulinoma EUS-guided ablation in Poland. Material and methods:We searched the PubMed/Medline database to identify cases of EUS-guided alcoholic ablation. Our analysis included 14 articles (case reports or case series), with a total of 27 patients and 31 tumours described, published before February 2017. Results: The described tumours were relatively small (mean 13 mm), and the most common location was pancreatic head. The mean ethanol volume injected to the tumour was 1.8 ml and the concentration of infused alcohol varied from 95% to 98%.Side effects were observed in six cases; apart from one, they were mild and self-limiting. There was only one severe adverse event, treated conservatively with success. The median follow-up was 14.4 months (2-55 months). In all described cases ablation led to improvement of the symptoms and normalisation of glycaemia. Conclusions:The EUS-guided alcoholic ablation of insulinoma is a safe and effective method of treatment in patients who are poor surgical candidates and/or refuse surgery. The adverse effects are rare and mild and were observed when the volume of injected ethanol was equal to or above 3.0 ml. However, the data is limited, the follow-up is relatively short, and prospective studies are needed to confirm the long-term effects of treatment. The study shows also that there are important procedural differences (concentration and volume of alcohol, needle gauge, number of sessions) between the endoscopists, which should be specified. (Endokrynol Pol 2017; 68 (4): 472-479)

Mediastinal pseudocysts are a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. Lack of uniform treatment standards makes the management of this condition a clinical challenge. We report the case of a 43-year-old patient who presented with a left pleural effusion. Pleural fluid revealed a high amylase concentration consistent with a pancreaticopleural fistula. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a disruption of the pancreatic duct with free outflow of contrast medium into the thoracic cavity. A pancreatic stent was placed. The second day after the ERCP, the patient developed septic shock and was admitted to the intensive care unit. Computed tomography (CT) revealed mediastinal pseudocysts and bilateral pleural effusions. After bilateral drainage of the pleural cavities, the patient improved clinically, and a follow-up CT scan showed that the fluid collection and pseudocysts had resolved. We discuss the optimal strategies for diagnosing and treating patients with pancreatic thoracic pseudocysts and fistulas, as well as review the management of these conditions.

Rectal neuroendocrine tumours are subepithelial lesions that are potentially malignant. Although the biology of these lesions has become increasingly understood and their management has been established, the endoscopic management of these tumours remains controversial. Recent studies demonstrated that compliance with guidelines is poor, and the majority of rectal neuroendocrine tumours are removed by an improper method, making management more complex and putting patients at risk of metastatic spread. Thus, there is a need to educate physicians who care for patients with these disorders. Our review has some tips and pointers for preventing mistakes in primary treatment and salvage therapy after polypectomy.