Stephen Pandol’s research while affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other places

Background Opioids are used to treat pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP), but little is known about current use patterns. The aims of this study were to characterize the utilization of opioids, and associations with clinical characteristics in adult patients with CP. Methods This cross-sectional analysis utilized baseline data from participants with definite CP enrolled in a cohort study in the US (PROCEED). Data on demographics, pain medication use, health care utilization, disability, and pain patterns were systematically collected in case report forms while quality of life (QOL) was assessed with patient-reported outcome instruments. Opioid use was classified according to strength (weak or strong) and frequency (scheduled or as-needed). Results A total of 681 participants (n=364, 53% male) were included: 299 (44%) were current opioid users (22% only weak opioids and 22% at least one strong opioid). Increasing frequency and severity of pain was associated with increase of weak, strong, as-needed, or scheduled opioids. Neuromodulators were used by ∼40% of participants; increasing use was associated with increasing frequency and severity of pain. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors associated with strength and frequency of current opioid use were pain patterns (ORs 1.84-8.32 and ORs 1.92-8.52, respectively, p<0.001) and prior celiac plexus block (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.82-6.87) and (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.76-6.64), respectively. Participants using opioids had higher prevalence of disability, healthcare utilization and poorer QOL. Conclusions Opioid use in CP is common and associated with increased pain severity and constancy. These data provide foundational estimates for future trials that can elucidate the complex interactions between patient factors, pain, and interventions.

Background and Objective: Decline of cardiovascular (CV) function is commonly observed in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (AP), which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. While the pathological changes in the pancreas during severe AP have been extensively studied, the impact on the CV system has not been well characterized. Furthermore, obesity is a major risk factor for severe AP. Hereby we utilized an obesity-associated mouse AP model to assess potential alterations in vascular integrity and cardiac function, two major components of circulatory failure. Methods: Wild-type male C57BL6J mice were fed a normal or a high fat (to induce obesity) diet. Both groups received intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (100 mg/kg/h x12) to induce AP. H&E and TUNEL staining of pancreas were performed to assess histology and cell death. To measure vascular integrity, we measured the leakiness of a fluorescein-conjugated dextran (70 kDa) in tissue parenchyma and serum levels of soluble vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, which has recently shown to be shed from endothelial cells with disrupted adherens junctions. Cardiac systolic and diastolic function were assessed by echocardiography at baseline and post-AP induction. Results: Compared to lean mice, obese mice developed more severe pancreatic edema, cell death and inflammatory cell infiltration, along with significantly increased accumulation of fluorescent dextran in multiple organs including pancreas, heart, lung, and kidney, suggesting systemic disruption of vascular integrity. Increased serum levels of soluble VE-cadherin in obese mice (vs. lean) after AP induction further supported compromised endothelial cell barrier function. At baseline, obese mice exhibited similar cardiac function to lean mice. However, obese mice, but not lean mice, developed impaired systolic and diastolic function post-AP induction, as supported by decreased ejection fraction and e’ velocity respectively. Conclusion: In this obesity-associated severe AP mouse model, systemic vascular permeability is increased, and cardiac function is substantially compromised. Systemic vascular hyperpermeability and cardiac dysfunction may represent therapeutic targets to enhance the outcomes in severe AP.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies, accounting for 95% of pancreatic cancer cases, with a 5-year survival rate of around 10%. The relationship between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer has been noted within the medical community. Recent epidemiological data and findings from experimental mouse models have underscored pancreatitis as a critical risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying the transition from pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer is crucial for improving early detection and treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed database and discussed relevant original studies, focusing on three key areas: findings from population- and animal-based studies, the role of pancreatic epithelial cell-intrinsic factors, and the impact of immune cells and cytokines. Additionally, we offered our prospectives on possible future research directions.

Background Cancer becomes lethal as it spreads from the primary site to the rest of the body. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are biomarkers of disease progression and have been associated with decreased overall survival. Blood filtration is a novel concept for removing CTCs from circulation to improve patient prognosis. Methods This study utilizes liquid biopsy to assess the efficacy of ExThera Medical’s Seraph® 100 Microbind® Affinity Blood Filter on the blood of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using the third generation high-definition single cell assay workflow. Blood samples from treatment-naïve PDAC patients were collected and analyzed to characterize the CTCs and other rare cells present before and after filtration. Results Examination of 6 paired portal vein blood (PoVB) samples demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total rare cells, total cytokeratin (CK)+ cells, and CTCs across all patients due to filtration. Furthermore, analysis of 2 paired peripheral blood (PB) samples showed a decrease in total rare cells, total CK+ cells, and specific phenotypes of rare cells after filtration. Discussion These preliminary results demonstrate initial proof of concept that this filtration device can remove CTCs from circulation and may therefore be useful as a therapy or adjunct in PDAC patient care.