2022
A randomized, phase II trial of oral azacitidine (CC-486) in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma at high risk for recurrence
Heumann T, Baretti M, Sugar E, Durham J, Linden S, Lopez-Vidal T, Leatherman J, Cope L, Sharma A, Weekes C, O’Dwyer P, Reiss K, Monga D, Ahuja N, Azad N. A randomized, phase II trial of oral azacitidine (CC-486) in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma at high risk for recurrence. Clinical Epigenetics 2022, 14: 166. PMID: 36463226, PMCID: PMC9719150, DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01367-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenocarcinomaAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAzacitidineDNA MethylationFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalPancreatic NeoplasmsConceptsResectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaCC-486OBS patientsMetastatic settingAdjuvant therapyTreatment-related grade 3Randomized phase II studyMedian age 66Next-line therapyResultsForty-nine patientsMedian treatment durationPhase II studyEvidence of diseaseHigh-risk featuresPhase II trialProgression-free survivalStandard adjuvant therapyPancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaCancer recursEvaluable patientsMedian OSMedian PFSOral azacitidineR1 resectionSubsequent chemotherapy
2018
Minimally Invasive Versus Open Primary Resection for Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Propensity-Matched Study From the National Cancer Database
Gani F, Goel U, Blair AB, Singh J, Overton HN, Meyer CF, Canner JK, Pawlik TM, Ahuja N, Johnston FM. Minimally Invasive Versus Open Primary Resection for Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Propensity-Matched Study From the National Cancer Database. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2018, 25: 2209-2217. PMID: 29855832, PMCID: PMC8383095, DOI: 10.1245/s10434-018-6538-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRetroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomaNational Cancer DatabaseSoft tissue sarcomasUse of MISPostoperative mortalityPrimary resectionOverall survivalClinical outcomesTissue sarcomasCancer DatabaseCox proportional hazards modelShorter hospital lengthProportional hazards modelHospital lengthInvasive VersusMultivariable logisticPelvic cancerShorter LOSOpen surgeryOperative approachCommunity hospitalInclusion criteriaSmall tumorsTreatment groupsHazards model
2017
The Roles of DNA Methylation in the Stages of Cancer
McMahon KW, Karunasena E, Ahuja N. The Roles of DNA Methylation in the Stages of Cancer. The Cancer Journal 2017, 23: 257-261. PMID: 28926425, PMCID: PMC5657558, DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000279.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPostoperative complications following intraoperative radiotherapy in abdominopelvic malignancy: A single institution analysis of 113 consecutive patients
Abdelfatah E, Page A, Sacks J, Pierorazio P, Bivalacqua T, Efron J, Terezakis S, Gearhart S, Fang S, Safar B, Pawlik TM, Armour E, Hacker‐Prietz A, Herman J, Ahuja N. Postoperative complications following intraoperative radiotherapy in abdominopelvic malignancy: A single institution analysis of 113 consecutive patients. Journal Of Surgical Oncology 2017, 115: 883-890. PMID: 28252805, PMCID: PMC5572190, DOI: 10.1002/jso.24597.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExternal beam radiation therapyPostoperative complication rateIntraoperative radiotherapyComplication rateInstitution experienceGrade IIAcceptable perioperative morbidityComplications grade IICurative-intent resectionPostoperative surgical complicationsClavien-Dindo scaleMost common diagnosesMargin-negative resectionSingle-institution analysisJohns Hopkins HospitalBeam radiation therapyAbdominopelvic malignanciesRadiotherapy variablesLocoregional controlPerioperative complicationsPerioperative deathsPerioperative morbidityPostoperative complicationsWound complicationsSurgical complications
2016
Circulating Tumor Cell Phenotype Predicts Recurrence and Survival in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Poruk KE, Valero V, Saunders T, Blackford AL, Griffin JF, Poling J, Hruban RH, Anders RA, Herman J, Zheng L, Rasheed ZA, Laheru DA, Ahuja N, Weiss MJ, Cameron JL, Goggins M, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA, Wood LD, Wolfgang CL. Circulating Tumor Cell Phenotype Predicts Recurrence and Survival in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Annals Of Surgery 2016, 264: 1073-1081. PMID: 26756760, PMCID: PMC4936958, DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000001600.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCytokeratin-positive CTCsPancreatic adenocarcinomaMesenchymal markersVimentin-positive CTCsEpithelial tumor cells (ISET) methodFourth leading causeBetter treatment stratificationPortal blood samplesSignificant independent predictorsPotential prognostic biomarkerBiology of metastasisDetection of CTCsSurgical resectionIndependent predictorsPrognostic factorsMedian timeMultivariable analysisPDAC patientsPrognostic utilityCancer deathPatient prognosisLeading causeTreatment stratificationCancer recurrencePoor survivalLong‐term outcomes in treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas: A 15 year single‐institution evaluation of prognostic features
Abdelfatah E, Guzzetta AA, Nagarajan N, Wolfgang CL, Pawlik TM, Choti MA, Schulick R, Montgomery EA, Meyer C, Thornton K, Herman J, Terezakis S, Frassica D, Ahuja N. Long‐term outcomes in treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas: A 15 year single‐institution evaluation of prognostic features. Journal Of Surgical Oncology 2016, 114: 56-64. PMID: 27076350, PMCID: PMC4917421, DOI: 10.1002/jso.24256.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCompartmental resectionRPS patientsSurgical resectionPrognostic factorsR0/R1 marginsR0/R1 resectionEn bloc surgical resectionBloc surgical resectionCornerstone of therapyMainstay of treatmentFive-year survivalRetrospective chart reviewPresence of metastasesEn bloc resectionExtent of resectionConnective tissue tumorsJohns Hopkins HospitalWarrants further investigationR1 resectionRetroperitoneal sarcomaChart reviewMedian survivalR1 marginsDistal recurrenceLocal recurrenceIGFBP-3 Gene Methylation in Primary Tumor Predicts Recurrence of Stage II Colorectal Cancers
Fu T, Pappou EP, Guzzetta AA, de Freitas Calmon M, Sun L, Herrera A, Li F, Wolfgang CL, Baylin SB, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA, Tong W, Ahuja N. IGFBP-3 Gene Methylation in Primary Tumor Predicts Recurrence of Stage II Colorectal Cancers. Annals Of Surgery 2016, 263: 337-344. PMID: 25822686, PMCID: PMC4648704, DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000001204.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStage II colorectal cancerRisk of recurrenceIGFBP-3 methylationLymph nodesColorectal cancerHazard ratioPrimary tumorHigh riskIndependent cohortFive-year recurrence-free survival ratesRecurrence-free survival ratesHigh-risk patientsSignificant prognostic factorsIdentification of patientsProportional hazards modelIGFBP-3Prognostic factorsTumor characteristicsPredicts RecurrenceHazards modelPatientsRecurrenceSurvival rateMultivariate analysisSurgery
2014
Clinicopathologic Presentation and Natural History of Anorectal Melanoma: A Case Series of 18 Patients
Hicks CW, Pappou EP, Magruder JT, Gazer B, Fang S, Wick EC, Gearhart SL, Ahuja N, Efron JE. Clinicopathologic Presentation and Natural History of Anorectal Melanoma: A Case Series of 18 Patients. JAMA Surgery 2014, 149: 608-611. PMID: 24848283, DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2013.4643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAntineoplastic AgentsChemotherapy, AdjuvantFemaleHumansMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedNeoplasm MetastasisNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalNeoplasm StagingRectal NeoplasmsTreatment OutcomeConceptsAnorectal melanomaOverall disease-specific mortalityNatural historyDisease-specific mortalityDisease-specific survivalNonspecific presenting symptomsWide local excisionRare malignant neoplasmVariable natural historyNonspecific presentationPresenting symptomAbdominoperineal resectionLocal excisionCase seriesMedian timeSurgical managementRectal lesionsMalignant neoplasmsPrognostic parametersClinicopathologic presentationLate diagnosisAdvanced stageIncorrect diagnosisSmall lesionsLarger study
2013
Extrathoracic Location and “Borderline” Histology are Associated with Recurrence of Solitary Fibrous Tumors After Surgical Resection
Wilky BA, Montgomery EA, Guzzetta AA, Ahuja N, Meyer CF. Extrathoracic Location and “Borderline” Histology are Associated with Recurrence of Solitary Fibrous Tumors After Surgical Resection. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2013, 20: 4080-4089. PMID: 24046107, PMCID: PMC4124630, DOI: 10.1245/s10434-013-3241-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExtrathoracic solitary fibrous tumorsBenign solitary fibrous tumorSolitary fibrous tumorMalignant histologyExtrathoracic locationPathologic criteriaFibrous tumorMetastatic solitary fibrous tumorPatient pathology reportsKaplan-Meier methodPredictors of recurrencePrimary care physiciansHead/neckSurgical pathology databaseMethodsWith IRB approvalSFTS patientsSurgical resectionComplete resectionCare physiciansWorse prognosisIntraabdominal sitesPathology databaseMedical recordsPathology reportsPatient historyKRAS G>A mutation favors poor tumor differentiation but may not be associated with prognosis in patients with curatively resected duodenal adenocarcinoma
Fu T, Guzzetta AA, Jeschke J, Vatapalli R, Dave P, Hooker CM, Morgan R, Iacobuzio‐Donahue C, Liu B, Ahuja N. KRAS G>A mutation favors poor tumor differentiation but may not be associated with prognosis in patients with curatively resected duodenal adenocarcinoma. International Journal Of Cancer 2013, 132: 2502-2509. PMID: 23065691, PMCID: PMC3579006, DOI: 10.1002/ijc.27910.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenocarcinomaBiomarkers, TumorCell DifferentiationDNA, NeoplasmDuodenal NeoplasmsFemaleHumansMaleMicrosatellite RepeatsMiddle AgedMutationNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalNeoplasm StagingPolymerase Chain ReactionPrognosisProto-Oncogene ProteinsProto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)Ras ProteinsSurvival RateConceptsPoor tumor differentiationKRAS GPositive lymph nodesDuodenal adenocarcinomaKRAS mutationsTumor differentiationMutation carriersDistant relapseLymph nodesMultivariate logistic regression analysisShorter relapse-free survivalFuture staging systemsRelapse-free survivalShorter overall survivalPossible prognostic roleLogistic regression analysisCurative resectionPoor OSOverall survivalPrognostic roleTumor characteristicsClinical outcomesClinicopathological characteristicsPoor prognosisPrognostic significance
2012
Management and Recurrence Patterns of Desmoids Tumors: A Multi-institutional Analysis of 211 Patients
Peng PD, Hyder O, Mavros MN, Turley R, Groeschl R, Firoozmand A, Lidsky M, Herman JM, Choti M, Ahuja N, Anders R, Blazer DG, Gamblin TC, Pawlik TM. Management and Recurrence Patterns of Desmoids Tumors: A Multi-institutional Analysis of 211 Patients. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2012, 19: 4036-4042. PMID: 22972507, PMCID: PMC3568525, DOI: 10.1245/s10434-012-2634-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecurrence-free survivalDesmoid tumorsTumor locationWorse recurrence-free survivalRare soft tissue neoplasmMajor surgical centersR0 surgical marginsDisease-free survivalEffective adjuvant therapyManagement of patientsPredictors of recurrenceRate of recurrenceMulti-institutional analysisSoft tissue neoplasmBackgroundDesmoid tumorsResultsMedian ageAdjuvant therapyMost patientsSurgical resectionMargin statusSurgical marginsSurgical centersTreatment characteristicsRecurrence patternsAbdominal cavityEpithelioid sarcoma: one institution's experience with a rare sarcoma
Guzzetta AA, Montgomery EA, Lyu H, Hooker CM, Meyer CF, Loeb DM, Frassica D, Weber KL, Ahuja N. Epithelioid sarcoma: one institution's experience with a rare sarcoma. Journal Of Surgical Research 2012, 177: 116-122. PMID: 22575361, PMCID: PMC3715113, DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2012.04.030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedChildDisease-Free SurvivalFemaleHumansMaleMarylandMiddle AgedNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalSarcomaYoung AdultConceptsEpithelioid sarcomaOverall survivalDiagnosis of ESRegional lymph node metastasisRare soft tissue sarcomaAvailable histological slidesCentralized cancer registryMedian overall survivalNumber of resectionsInstitutional review board approvalRegional nodal basinLymph node metastasisSoft tissue sarcomasNumber of recurrencesMajority of tumorsReview board approvalJohns Hopkins Medical InstitutionsRepeated ResectionMedian ageMost patientsMedian timeNode metastasisPatient chartsCancer RegistryInstitution experience
2011
Duodenal Adenocarcinoma: Clinicopathologic Analysis and Implications for Treatment
Poultsides GA, Huang LC, Cameron JL, Tuli R, Lan L, Hruban RH, Pawlik TM, Herman JM, Edil BH, Ahuja N, Choti MA, Wolfgang CL, Schulick RD. Duodenal Adenocarcinoma: Clinicopathologic Analysis and Implications for Treatment. Annals Of Surgical Oncology 2011, 19: 1928-1935. PMID: 22167476, PMCID: PMC3663711, DOI: 10.1245/s10434-011-2168-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDuodenal adenocarcinomaOverall survivalLymph nodesMultivariate analysisInvolved lymph nodesSmall bowel adenocarcinomaEffective systemic therapyFive-year survivalOnly independent predictorProlongs overall survivalAmpulla of VaterConclusionsThe prognostic significanceAdjuvant chemoradiationBowel adenocarcinomaUnderwent pancreaticoduodenectomySystemic therapyAdequate lymphadenectomyIndependent predictorsLocal recurrenceNodal metastasisClinicopathologic analysisPrognostic significanceClinicopathologic variablesRare cancersAdenocarcinoma
2008
Management of Retroperitoneal Sarcomas
Hueman MT, Herman JM, Ahuja N. Management of Retroperitoneal Sarcomas. Surgical Clinics Of North America 2008, 88: 583-597. PMID: 18514700, DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2008.03.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCombined Modality TherapyHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalNeoplasm StagingRetroperitoneal NeoplasmsSarcomaTomography, X-Ray ComputedConceptsRetroperitoneal sarcomaLocal recurrenceMorbidity of therapyDistant metastatic diseaseAggressive surgical approachCurative treatment optionManagement of patientsHigh-grade lesionsMetastatic diseaseSurgical therapyTherapeutic challengeSurgical approachTreatment optionsExtent of invasionDisease controlSarcomaCommon typePatientsRecurrenceTherapyMorbidityLesionsManagementDiseaseDiagnosisRetroperitoneal masses with associated human chorionic gonadotropin production: Report of two cases
Duffield AS, Jarrar P, Shum C, Ahuja N, Yeo CJ, Sokoll LJ. Retroperitoneal masses with associated human chorionic gonadotropin production: Report of two cases. Clinica Chimica Acta 2008, 395: 166-169. PMID: 18505680, DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2008.04.030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman chorionic gonadotropinSerum human chorionic gonadotropinSerum hCG concentrationsRetroperitoneal massHCG concentrationsEpidermoid cystHCG secretionHuman chorionic gonadotropin productionCancer antigen 19Course of diseaseChorionic gonadotropin productionBenign epidermoid cystPancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaPathologic examinationAntigen 19Gonadotropin productionCyst liningMalignant neoplasmsDisease progressionDuctal adenocarcinomaPancreatic adenocarcinomaImmunohistochemical stainingChorionic gonadotropinPatientsCysts