Preoperative next-generation sequencing of pancreatic cyst fluid is highly accurate in cyst classification and detection of advanced neoplasia

Gut. 2018 Dec;67(12):2131-2141. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313586. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Abstract

Objective: DNA-based testing of pancreatic cyst fluid (PCF) is a useful adjunct to the evaluation of pancreatic cysts (PCs). Mutations in KRAS/GNAS are highly specific for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), while TP53/PIK3CA/PTEN alterations are associated with advanced neoplasia. A prospective study was performed to evaluate preoperative PCF DNA testing.

Design: Over 43-months, 626 PCF specimens from 595 patients were obtained by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-fine needle aspiration and assessed by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Molecular results were correlated with EUS findings, ancillary studies and follow-up. A separate cohort of 159 PCF specimens was also evaluated for KRAS/GNAS mutations by Sanger sequencing.

Results: KRAS/GNAS mutations were identified in 308 (49%) PCs, while alterations in TP53/PIK3CA/PTEN were present in 35 (6%) cases. Based on 102 (17%) patients with surgical follow-up, KRAS/GNAS mutations were detected in 56 (100%) IPMNs and 3 (30%) MCNs, and associated with 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity for a mucinous PC. In comparison, KRAS/GNAS mutations by Sanger sequencing had a 65% sensitivity and 100% specificity. By NGS, the combination of KRAS/GNAS mutations and alterations in TP53/PIK3CA/PTEN had an 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity for advanced neoplasia. Ductal dilatation, a mural nodule and malignant cytopathology had lower sensitivities (42%, 32% and 32%, respectively) and specificities (74%, 94% and 98%, respectively).

Conclusions: In contrast to Sanger sequencing, preoperative NGS of PCF for KRAS/GNAS mutations is highly sensitive for IPMNs and specific for mucinous PCs. In addition, the combination of TP53/PIK3CA/PTEN alterations is a useful preoperative marker for advanced neoplasia.

Keywords: pancreatic cancer; pancreatic epidemiology; pancreatic pathology; pancreato-biliary disorders.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / surgery
  • Chromogranins / genetics
  • Cyst Fluid / chemistry*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / surgery
  • Pancreatic Cyst / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Cyst / genetics
  • Pancreatic Cyst / pathology
  • Pancreatic Cyst / surgery
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Preoperative Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Chromogranins
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • GNAS protein, human
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)