FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 19, 2012

CONTACT: Susie Tappouni
571-483-1355
susie.tappouni@asco.org

Note to Media: Statements from experts cited throughout can be used by media in part or in their entirety.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Co-sponsors of the 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium today announced six additional important studies on the surveillance, detection and treatment of pancreatic, gastric, colorectal and esophageal cancers. The findings will be presented during this year’s Symposium, which takes place January 19-21 in San Francisco.

Abstract #156
Neoadjuvant chemoradiation versus surgery first for resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma: An economic and outcome analysis.

Oral Abstract Session: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract
The Moscone West Building, Level 3, Ballroom
Friday, January 20
1:45-1:55 PM PT

“While there are several sequence options for the care of patients with pancreas cancers, the authors present a comparison of the cost and outcomes of patients who underwent surgery as the first step in therapy versus patients who underwent chemoradiation followed by surgery in appropriate patients. Their work suggests that initiating chemoradiation allows for the selection of patients that are actually candidates for resection. As a result of this more accurate selection, patients with metastases or progression of disease did not undergo surgery and thus outcomes are improved and the cost of care was reduced. The authors work further exemplifies the importance of multidisciplinary care planning provided by a team of pancreas cancer experts."
– Morton S. Kahlenberg, MD
Member, 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Representative

Abstract #152
Malignant progression in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: Results of 157 patients selected for radiographic surveillance.

General Session II: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract
The Moscone West Building, Level 3, Ballroom
Friday, January 20
10:15-10:30 AM PT

“IPMN (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm) remains a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. The authors present the results of patients that were diagnosed with or suspected of having IPMN and were followed by radiologic surveillance. These patients were followed on average for 15 months and 62% of patients underwent surgical removal of the abnormal appearing area. They noted that 11% of these patients actually had invasive cancer at the time of resection and 22% of these patients had cancer in an area that was different from the area that was under radiologic surveillance. This works adds to the growing body of literature that IPMNs are diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in that it is difficult to determine if pancreas cancer is present in the gland, when it occurs during surveillance and if so, if it is in the area of the IPMN or in a different region of the gland.”
– Morton S. Kahlenberg, MD
Member, 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Representative

Abstract #1
Optimized response prediction in esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas (EGJAc) with combination of molecular biomarkers and FDG-PET.

General Session I: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach
The Moscone West Building, Level 3, Ballroom
Thursday, September 8
9:15-9:30 AM PT

“Biomarkers of therapeutic response for patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophagogastric cancer are critically needed. This study examines the potential role of PET-FDG and global gene expression profiling in assessing the response of 28 patients with locally advanced or metatastic esophagogastric cancer to platinum based chemotherapy. These study results showed a gene expression signature (86 genes) that separated FDG PET metabolic response (>35% fall SUV day 0 to 14) into those that did and did not have a RECIST response. In cross validation, this signature correctly identified response in 28 out of 28 patients. These results should encourage further investigation of combined molecular and imaging biomarker approaches.”
– Christopher Willett, MD
Member, 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Representative

Abstract #535
Effectiveness and safety of second-line (2L) irinotecan- and oxaliplatin-based regimens after first-line (1L) bevacizumab (BV)-containing treatment (tx) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Results from the ARIES observational cohort study.

General Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon and Rectum
The Moscone West Building, Level 1, West Hall
Poster D10
Saturday, January 21
7:00-8:00 AM PT

“This study highlights the survival benefit of including bevacizumab in second-line regimens for patients with metastatic colon cancer and progressive disease. This benefit was observed with both oxaliplatin and irinotecan based regimens, and the rate of adverse events was not higher when bevacizumab was included.”
– Daniel C. Chung, MD
Member, 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Representative

Abstract #153
The impact of vascular reconstruction on early postoperative outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy: An analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

General Session III: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract
The Moscone West Building, Level 3, Ballroom
Friday, January 20
3:45-4:00 PM PT

“Several single-center reports have concluded that vascular reconstruction (VR) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) allows for an acceptable oncologic outcome in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma without affecting early postoperative mortality or morbidity. The objective of this study was to review the outcomes associated with VR during PD using theAmerican College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) Participant User Files for 2005-2009. VR during PD was associated with significantly greater risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative mortality and overall morbidity. Thus, data from ACS-NSQIP suggests that VR significantly increases the risk of 30-day postoperative death or complications after PD. This is contrary to previous reports from single centers. This suggests that patients who may require VR during PD will likely benefit from referral to centers with sufficient experience with this procedure.”
– Morton S. Kahlenberg, MD
Member, 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Representative

Abstract #5
Survival analysis according to disease subtype in AVAGAST: First-line capecitabine and cisplatin plus bevacizumab (bev) or placebo in patients (pts) with advanced gastric cancer.

Oral Abstract Session: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach
The Moscone West Building, Level 3, Ballroom
Thursday, January 19
2:05 PM - 02:15 PM PT

“This study illustrates that outcome and response to therapy in gastric cancer differs depending upon the specific histologic subtype. ‘Diffuse’ gastric cancers had the worst prognosis regardless of treatment. Non-Asian patients appeared to have a greater benefit from treatments that included bevacizumab.”
– Daniel C. Chung, MD
Member, 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Representative

CLICK HERE to view the complete tip sheet containing the full text of the abstracts.

About the Symposium
Four leading medical specialty societies co-sponsor the three-day, multidisciplinary symposium, including the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO).

2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium News Planning Team
Daniel C. Chung, MD, American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute; Morton S. Kahlenberg, MD, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); Christopher Willett, MD, American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO); Mark S. Talamonti, MD, Society of Surgical Oncology.

Click here to view the disclosures for the News Planning Team.

ATTRIBUTION TO THE 2012 GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS SYMPOSIUM IS REQUESTED IN ALL COVERAGE.

# # #