Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor with unresectable liver metastases: an example of multimodal therapeutic approach

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) frequently present with unresectable hepatic metastases, which poses a barrier for curative treatment. Resection of the primary tumor and subsequent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been proposed as a treatment approach but available data in this regard is limited. We present a clinical case of an otherwise asymptomatic 44-yo man complaining of abdominal pain and dyspepsia that was diagnosed of a 10 cm duodenal tumor with multiple hepatic metastases. A CT-guided biopsy confirmed a NET. He underwent first a Whipple’s procedure, and then was listed for liver transplantation. During the waiting time a multimodal therapeutic approach was used including the use of radioactive 177lutetium-labeled somatostatin analogues, long-acting somastostatin analogues and antiangiogenic antibodies (bevacizumab) in order to keep neoplastic disease under control. Two years after Whipple’s procedure and given disease stability he underwent OLT with an uneventful postoperative evolution. Patient condition and graft function are optimal after a 4-year follow-up period with no evidence of recurrence. This case report underscores how a multimodal approach involving careful patient selection, resective surgery as well as use of somatostatin analogues and antiangiogenic biological therapy followed by liver transplantation can achieve excellent long-term results in this difficult patient population

Enfermedad veno-oclusiva hepática, colitis ulcerosa idiopática y trombosis portal: Comunicación de un caso clínico

We report a previously healthy 29 years old man, presenting with a sudden episode of abdominal pain, mild jaundice, hepatomegaly and ascites. Magnetic resonance imaging study and liver biopsy were compatible with veno-occlusive disease. Incidentally, an ulcerative colitis and portal vein thrombosis were diagnosed. Anticoagulant treatment was started, with good clinical and radiological response. Veno-occlusive disease of the liver must be suspected in cases of liver failure and ascites associated to procoagulant conditions (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 1091-5

Mutational Landscape and Actionable Target Rates on Advanced Stage Refractory Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Chilean Experience

Major advances in sequencing technologies and targeted therapies have accelerated the incorporation of oncology into the era of precision medicine and “biomarker-driven” treatments. However, the impact of this approach on the everyday clinic has yet to be determined. Most precision oncology reports are based on developed countries and usually involve metastatic, hard-to-treat or incurable cancer patients. Moreover, in many cases race and ethnicity in these studies is commonly unreported and real-world evidence in this topic is scarce. Herein, we report data from a total of 202 Chilean advanced stage refractory cancer patients. Retrospectively, we collected patient data from NGS tests and IHC in order to determine the proportion of patients that would benefit from targeted treatments. Overall >20 tumor types were included in our cohort and 37% of patients (n = 74) displayed potentially actionable alterations, including on-label, off-label and immune checkpoint inhibitor recommendations. Our findings were in-line with previous reports such as the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). To our knowledge, this is the first report of its kind in Latin America delivering real-world evidence to estimate the percentage of refractory tumor patients that might benefit from precision oncology. Although this approach is still in its infancy in Chile, we strongly encourage the implementation of mutational tumor boards in our country in order to provide more therapeutic options for advanced stage refractory patients