An inflammatory checkpoint regulates recruitment of graft-versus-host reactive T cells to peripheral tissues

Transfer of T cells to freshly irradiated allogeneic recipients leads to their rapid recruitment to nonlymphoid tissues, where they induce graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In contrast, when donor T cells are transferred to established mixed chimeras (MCs), GVHD is not induced despite a robust graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction that eliminates normal and malignant host hematopoietic cells. We demonstrate here that donor GVH-reactive T cells transferred to MCs or freshly irradiated mice undergo similar expansion and activation, with similar up-regulation of homing molecules required for entry to nonlymphoid tissues. Using dynamic two-photon in vivo microscopy, we show that these activated T cells do not enter GVHD target tissues in established MCs, contrary to the dogma that activated T cells inevitably traffic to nonlymphoid tissues. Instead, we show that the presence of inflammation within a nonlymphoid tissue is a prerequisite for the trafficking of activated T cells to that site. Our studies help to explain the paradox whereby GVH-reactive T cells can mediate graft-versus-leukemia responses without inducing GVHD in established MCs

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor in the Setting of Dorsal Agenesis of the Pancreas

Dorsal agenesis of the pancreas (DAP) is an uncommon embryological abnormality where there is absence of the distal pancreas. DAP is mostly asymptomatic, but common presenting symptoms include diabetes mellitus, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, enlarged pancreatic head, and, in a few cases, polysplenia. MRCP and ERCP are the gold standard imaging techniques to demonstrate the absence of the dorsal pancreatic duct. The literature on the association of pancreatic neoplasia and DAP is limited. We present the case of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with dorsal agenesis of the pancreas, with a review of the related literature

Reporting a Case of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas in a 44-Year-Old Woman with Parallel Analysis of Literature

We present a distinctive case of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm as seen in a 44-year-old woman who presented with an abdominal mass but unremarkable labs with no elevation in any of the tumor markers. Her symptomatology ranged from typical symptoms suggestive of malignancy such as weight loss, lethargy, and anorexia to complaints like abdominal pain and jaundice. Prior to presenting at our center, she was given no hope or much in terms of treatment options. She was found to have a substantial mass over the body and tail of pancreas with characteristic and typical gross as well as histological features. Subsequently, she underwent a successful surgery and has found herself in remission since

Survival Following Lung Metastasectomy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas

The most common site of metastasis for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) is the lung. In patients who are candidates for resection, metastasectomy improves survival. Debate remains, however, on approach and patient selection for surgery. We retrospectively analyzed demographics, tumor characteristics, peri- and postoperative factors for 53 patients who underwent lung metastasectomy for STS from 1989 to 2013. Disease-free intervals (DFIs) and survival were determined. Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank test were used for comparison and survival analyses. Median overall survival (diagnosis to death or last visit) was 59.9 months (IQR: 118.5), with mean follow-up of 85.3 months (SD: 69.5). Post-lung metastasectomy survival was 82.9%, 52.2%, 28.3%, and 13.3% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Age at diagnosis of less than 50 years (p = 0.037), a low pathologic grade (p = 0.040), and a DFI until metastasis of greater than 13.5 months (p = 0.007) were significant predictors of improved survival. Patients diagnosed at a younger age with low-grade tumors and those with a longer DFI prior to metastasis diagnosis gain the greatest survival advantage with surgery