"Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Response and Resistance to Current Targeted Therapies in Gastric Cancer" (THERRES) (THERRES)

"Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Response and Resistance to Current Targeted Therapies in Gastric Cancer"

The main aim was to assess the tumor vascular perfusion pattern in gastric cancer (GC). The investigators used dynamic contrast harmonic imaging endoscopic ultrasound (CHI-EUS) and the results were compared with the immunohistochemical expression of CD105 and clinico-pathological parameters.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Gastric Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Endoscopic ultrasound

Detailed Description

The study design is prospective and will include patients with gastric tumors referred to Gastroenterology Department from University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova for EUS local staging enrolled during 18 months.

Data collected for each participant will include: Personal data (name, surname, age, sex); results from previous investigations (blood count, liver and renal function tests, tumoral markers, gastroscopy, computed tomography), EUS variables (including CEH-EUS), histological and immunohistochemical findings, TNM and pTNM status (if possible), molecular analysis findings.

Imaging tests All patients will be evaluated by EUS and CEH-EUS, using radial EUS instruments. Prior to the investigation the stomach has to be empty for at least 8 hours. During the examination biopsies will be taken from normal and tumor tissue for gene expression analysis. For EUS examination, the patient will be placed in left lateral position. The EUS scope will be inserted under direct vision, passed by the tumor and examination should begin during withdrawal at 7.5 MHz. The tumor will be characterized describing its echogenicity, echostructure, size, extent into the wall and surrounding structures, and it will be staged using the modification of the TNM classification. The presence/absence of power Doppler signals will be noted. All lymph nodes will be reported with their maximal size, echogenicity, shape and margins. Nodes larger than 5 mm in diameter, with hypoechoic appearance, round shape (rather than ovoid or flat), sharply demarcated borders and located nearby the tumor will be suspected for malignancy.

CEH-EUS procedure: A two panel image with the usual conventional gray-scale B-mode EUS image on the right side and with the contrast harmonic image on the left side will be used, according to pre-established presets. The examination will be performed at a low mechanical index (dynamic wide-band contrast harmonic imaging mode) of 0.2. The starting point of the timer will be considered the moment of intravenous contrast injection (SonoVue 2,4 mL), with the whole movie (T0-T120s) recorded on the embedded HDD of the ultrasound system for later analysis. Parameters for objective measurement of tumor perfusion will include maximum intensity of enhancement, mean transit time, time to peak (wash-in time), wash-in slope, area under the curve, representing indirectly blood flow or blood volume in GC patients.

Complications may occur during EUS, but they are rare. These consist of bleeding at the biopsy site which is usually minimal, self-limited and rarely requires follow-up. Perforation of the stomach is extremely rare. The safety profile of the ultrasound contrast agent (Sonovue®) showed a very low incidence of side effects. It is not nephrotoxic and the incidence of hypersensitivity or severe allergic events is lower than with current X-ray agents and comparable to that of other magnetic resonance contrast agents. Sono-Vue is approved for clinical use in EU countries.

The biological material collected during the study will be frozen and stored. This will include one ml of whole blood and 4 tissue biopsies (2 from normal tissue and 2 from the tumour) of 2 to 3 mm each. When the expected number of participants is reached, the samples will undergo molecular studies for assessing the markers of angiogenesis as detailed further in the protocol. The biological materials will be stored and analysed during an estimated time of 20 months from the start of the trial. Biopsy samples for immunohistochemistry will be included in formalin solution and sent at pathology laboratory.

Molecular tests

• Blood analysis. Whole blood (1ml) will be collected before imaging procedures in an Eppendorf tube on EDTA solution, placed immediately at 40C for maximum 24 hours, and then kept at - 800C for later analysis of angiogenic factors.
• Biopsy samples of normal and GC tissue. Gene expression will be analyzed using qPCR with Taqman®- labeled probes. To quantify the results obtained by real-time RT-PCR the standard curve method will be used. The paired-samples will be collected in RNAlater (Ambion), stored at 40C for 12- 24 hours, and then kept at - 800C. Later analysis will assess the genes expression of angiogenic markers.

Immunohistochemistry IHC will be focused of angiogenic markers: VEGF-A family and their receptors: VEGFR as well as tyrosine kinases receptors (RTKs).

The VEGF-C expression in tumor samples (marker of lymphangiogenesis) will be quantified. Furthermore, a correlation between EUS findings (N stage) and VEGF-C expression will be established.

The microvessel density (MVD) will be calculated using immunohistochemistry for CD105.

Statistical analysis The estimated number of participants enrolled to the study is at least 50 during first 24 months. Both descriptive data analysis and statistical inference will be performed.

Correlations between CE-EUS parameters and pathologic and genetic findings will be analyzed using the T-test and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) for continuous data, while the Chi-square test will be applied for categorical data. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be performed for comparison between different subgroups (T stages). Survival analysis from the moment of diagnosis will be evaluated using Kaplan-Meyer curves. Traditional parameters as TNM stage, type of treatment will be analyzed. Statistical significance will be defined as a p-value less than 0.05.

These minimal risks will be outweighed by the potential implications for future patient care.

Research subjects will receive consent on behalf of written and oral information before inclusion in the study. The interview will cover detailed information, including an understandable presentation of the project with its predictable risks and side-effects, expected outcomes and benefits from the research.

Any unplanned events or adverse effects will be reported immediately to the Regional Ethics Committee on biomedical research.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 40

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Adrian Saftoiu, Professor; Phone Number: +40 744 823355; Email: adriansaftoiu@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Romania
  • Craiova, Romania
    • Recruiting
    • Research Center in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy
    • Contact: Adrian Saftoiu, Professor; Phone Number: 0040251310287; Email: adriansaftoiu@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 90 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients diagnosed with primary gastric tumors referred for local staging by EUS; Age 18 to 90 years old, men or women;

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients diagnosed with primary gastric adenocarcinoma;
• no neoadjuvant therapy;
• age: 18 to 90 years old;
• gender: men or women;
• signed informed consent for EUS with contrast-enhancement and tissue sampling;

Exclusion Criteria:

• other types of gastric cancer than adenocarcinoma;
• prior treatment with chemo-radiotherapy;
• failure to provide informed consent;
• severe coagulopathy.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Patients diagnosed with primary gastric tumors referred to our department for EUS local staging.; Patients will be included or excluded according to the following criteria used throughout the study: Inclusion criteria: Patients diagnosed with primary gastric tumors referred for local staging by EUS (n=40); Age 18 to 90 years old, men or women; Signed informed consent for EUS with contrast-enhancement and tissue sampling; Exclusion criteria: Prior treatment with chemo-radiotherapy; Failure to provide informed consent; severe coagulopathy. Data collected for each participant will include: Personal data (name, surname, age, sex); results from previous investigations (blood count, liver and renal function tests, tumoral markers, gastroscopy, computed tomography), EUS variables (including CEH-EUS), histological and immunohistochemical findings, TNM and pTNM status (if possible), molecular analysis findings.

Diagnostic test: Endoscopic ultrasound; Imaging tests: All patients will be evaluated by EUS and CEH-EUS, using radial EUS instruments. Prior to the investigation the stomach has to be empty for at least 8 hours. During the examination biopsies will be taken from normal and tumor tissue for gene expression analysis. CEH-EUS procedure: A two panel image with the usual conventional gray-scale B-mode EUS image on the right side and with the contrast harmonic image on the left side will be used, according to pre-established presets. The starting point of the timer will be considered the moment of intravenous contrast injection (Sonovue 2,4 mL), with the whole movie (T0-T120s) recorded on the embedded HDD of the ultrasound system for later analysis Molecular tests: Blood analysis. Whole blood (1ml) will be collected before imaging procedures in an Eppendorf tube on EDTA solution. Biopsy samples of normal and GC tissue. Gene expression will be analyzed using qPCR with Taqman®- labeled probes.; Other Names: Blood sampling; Upper endoscopy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Correlations with statistical significance between time-intensity curve analysis parameters, immunohistochemical markers of angiogenesis and clinico-pathological parameters.	The investigators expect to see correlations with statistical significance between immunohistochemical markers of angiogenesis (CD105), clinico-pathological and time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters :peak enhancement (PE), wash-in area under the curve (WiAUC), rise time (RT), mean transit time (mTTI), time to peak (TTP), wash-in rate (WiR), wash-in perfusion index (WiPI), wash-outAUC (WoAUC) and wash-in and wash-outAUC (WiWoAUC), fall time (FT), wash-out rate (WoR), quality of fit (QOF), region of interest area (ROI area).	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova
• Collaborators: Institutul Clinic Fundeni

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Fuchs CS, Tomasek J, Yong CJ, Dumitru F, Passalacqua R, Goswami C, Safran H, Dos Santos LV, Aprile G, Ferry DR, Melichar B, Tehfe M, Topuzov E, Zalcberg JR, Chau I, Campbell W, Sivanandan C, Pikiel J, Koshiji M, Hsu Y, Liepa AM, Gao L, Schwartz JD, Tabernero J; REGARD Trial Investigators. Ramucirumab monotherapy for previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (REGARD): an international, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2014 Jan 4;383(9911):31-39. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61719-5. Epub 2013 Oct 3.
• Folkman J. Fundamental concepts of the angiogenic process. Curr Mol Med. 2003 Nov;3(7):643-51. doi: 10.2174/1566524033479465.
• Kerbel RS. Tumor angiogenesis. N Engl J Med. 2008 May 8;358(19):2039-49. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra0706596. No abstract available.
• Shibuya M, Claesson-Welsh L. Signal transduction by VEGF receptors in regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Exp Cell Res. 2006 Mar 10;312(5):549-60. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.11.012. Epub 2005 Dec 5.
• Smith NR, Baker D, James NH, Ratcliffe K, Jenkins M, Ashton SE, Sproat G, Swann R, Gray N, Ryan A, Jurgensmeier JM, Womack C. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 are localized primarily to the vasculature in human primary solid cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2010 Jul 15;16(14):3548-61. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-2797. Epub 2010 Jul 6.
• Li L, Wang L, Song P, Geng X, Liang X, Zhou M, Wang Y, Chen C, Jia J, Zeng J. Critical role of histone demethylase RBP2 in human gastric cancer angiogenesis. Mol Cancer. 2014 Apr 9;13:81. doi: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-81.
• Ferrara N. Vascular endothelial growth factor. Eur J Cancer. 1996 Dec;32A(14):2413-22. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(96)00387-5. No abstract available.
• Ulyatt C, Walker J, Ponnambalam S. Hypoxia differentially regulates VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 levels and alters intracellular signaling and cell migration in endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2011 Jan 21;404(3):774-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.12.057. Epub 2010 Dec 17.
• Chen CN, Hsieh FJ, Cheng YM, Cheng WF, Su YN, Chang KJ, Lee PH. The significance of placenta growth factor in angiogenesis and clinical outcome of human gastric cancer. Cancer Lett. 2004 Sep 15;213(1):73-82. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2004.05.020.
• Kondo K, Kaneko T, Baba M, Konno H. VEGF-C and VEGF-A synergistically enhance lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. Biol Pharm Bull. 2007 Apr;30(4):633-7. doi: 10.1248/bpb.30.633.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 10, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 10, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): September 21, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 30, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 24, 2021
• Last Verified: September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: gastric cancer; perfusion pattern in gastric cancer; CHI-EUS
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Stomach Diseases; Stomach Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: THERRES

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No