Preoperative CA19‑9 level and dual time point FDG‑PET/CT as strong biological indicators of borderline resectability...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Tumor resectability is crucial for pancreatic cancer treatment, often influenced by preoperative chemotherapy.
• Accurate assessment of resectability guides therapeutic strategies and patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and 8F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography standardized uptake value percentage change (SUVmax%) as predictors of pancreatic tumor resectability.
• To determine the prognostic value of these biomarkers in relation to relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Main Methods:

• The study included 86 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent complete surgical resection.
• Serum CA19-9 levels and preoperative SUVmax% were measured, with cut-off values of 500 U/ml and 24.25%, respectively.
• Patients were categorized into groups based on high or low CA19-9 and SUVmax% values. RFS and OS were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.

Main Results:

• Patients with high CA19-9 and SUVmax% exhibited significantly worse RFS and OS compared to those with low values.
• Elevated CA19-9 or SUVmax% also correlated with poorer survival outcomes.
• High CA19-9 and SUVmax% emerged as an independent predictor of worse RFS and OS.

Conclusions:

• Serum CA19-9 and SUVmax% serve as valuable biological indicators for assessing pancreatic tumor resectability.
• These biomarkers can aid in predicting patient outcomes and optimizing treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer.