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Objective: The aim of our preliminary study was to compare the efficacy of drug-eluting beads preloaded with irinotecan (DEBIRI) vs drug-eluting beads preloaded with doxorubicin (DEBDOX) as second-line treatment of unresectable liver metastases from cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Methods: In 2013, 10 patients affected by multiple liver metastases from CCA, resistant to the first-line chemotherapy regimen, were enrolled: 5 patients were submitted to lobar/segmental transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with DEBIRI (100-mg irinotecan/1 vial) and 5 patients with DEBDOX (50-mg doxorubicin/1 vial), performed every 3 weeks. Patients treated with DEBIRI received antipain premedication consisting of 30-mg of morphine and 3–4 ml of intra-arterial lidocaine. Complications and efficacy were assessed (response evaluation criteria in solid tumour 1.1). Results: A total of 32 TACE were performed (mean: 3.2 TACE/patient), all well tolerated, with only 1 case of asymptomatic cholecystitis spontaneously recovered. Response rates of patients treated with DEBDOX and DEBIRI were: 4/5 progressive disease and 1/5 partial response vs 2/5 partial response, 2/5 stable disease and 1/5 progressive disease, respectively, with the appearance of variable necrosis percentage. Progression-free survival from the first procedure and progressive disease were 12.67 weeks for DEBIRI and 15.78 weeks for DEBDOX, respectively. Overall survival from time of primary diagnosis was 176 weeks for DEBIRI and 125 weeks for DEBDOX, respectively. Conclusion: In our preliminary experience, DEBIRI was more effective than DEBDOX as a second-line treatment for hepatic metastases from CCA. Antipain drug administration and the use of the microcatheter led to a good treatment tolerability and a low complication rate. Advances in knowledge: In our preliminary experience, DEBIRI was more effective than DEBDOX as a second-line treatment of hepatic metastases from CCA; further studies involving a larger cohort of patients are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Islet allotransplantation is a less invasive alternative to surgical pancreas transplantation for Type 1 diabetes, while percutaneous intraportal islet autotransplantation (PIPIAT) is usually performed after pancreatic surgery to prevent diabetes. Our aim was to assess the feasibility, radiological aspects, complications and clinical outcome of PIPIAT following pancreatic surgery for not only chronic pancreatitis but also benign and malignant nodules. Methods: From 2008 to 2012, 41 patients were enrolled for PIPIAT 12-48 h after pancreatic surgery (extended pancreatic surgery for chronic pancreatitis and benign/malignant neoplasms). PIPIAT was performed using a combined ultrasonography and fluoroscopy-guided technique (4-F catheter). PIPIAT feasibility, median follow-up and metabolic (insulin independence rate, graft function based on C-peptide levels) and oncologic outcomes were recorded. Results: PIPIAT was not performed in 7/41 patients (4 cases for an inadequate islet mass, 2 cases for haemodynamic instability and 1 case for islet culture contamination), while it was successfully performed in 34/34 patients. Procedure-related major complications occurred in four patients: two bleedings requiring transfusions, one patient with left portal vein thrombosis and one patient with sepsis. Median follow-up duration was 546 days. Insulin independence was achieved in 15/34 (44%) patients, partial graft function in 16/34 (47%) patients and no function in 3/34 (9%) patients. None of the 17 patients with malignant nodules developed liver metastases during follow-up. Conclusion: PIPIAT, performed under ultrasound and fluoroscopy combined guidance and not requiring immunosuppression, is feasible, with a relatively low complication rate and a better metabolic outcome than allotransplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]