Advanced diagnostics for pancreatic cysts: Confocal endomicroscopy and molecular analysis

Abstract

Technological advances and the widespread use of medical imaging have led to an increase in the identification of pancreatic cysts in patients who undergo cross-sectional imaging. Current methods for the diagnosis and risk-stratification of pancreatic cysts are suboptimal, resulting in both unnecessary surgical resection and overlooked cases of neoplasia. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for guiding how a pancreatic cyst is managed, whether with surveillance for low-risk lesions or surgical resection for high-risk lesions. This review aims to summarize the current literature on confocal endomicroscopy and cyst fluid molecular analysis for the evaluation of pancreatic cysts. These recent technologies are promising adjuncts to existing approaches with the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and ultimately patient outcomes.

Key Words: Pancreatic cysts, Confocal endomicroscopy, Molecular analysis, Molecular biomarkers, Pancreatic cancer

Core tip: Current methods for the diagnosis and risk-stratification of pancreatic cysts are suboptimal, resulting in both unnecessary surgical resection and overlooked cases of neoplasia. Novel technologies such as confocal endomicroscopy and cyst fluid molecular analysis are promising adjuncts to the existing standard of care for the management of pancreatic cysts with the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and ultimately patient outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

Diagnosing and managing pancreatic cysts is a common problem within gastro-enterology. The number of pancreatic cysts identified has grown over the last several decades, largely due to improved detection during imaging studies. Studies show that the prevalence of pancreatic cysts may be even higher than previously thought with about 2.4%-19.6% of all patients who undergo abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2.6% who undergo computed tomography (CT) having detectable pancreatic cysts[1-4].

Pancreatic cysts can be classified as either mucinous or non-mucinous lesions, each with distinct characteristics and potential for malignancy (Table 1). Mucinous cysts include intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), while non-mucinous cysts include serous cystadenoma (SCA), pseudocysts, cystic neuroendocrine tumors (cystic-NETs), and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN).

Table 1 Classification of pancreatic cysts.

(A) Mucinous Cysts

1 Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN)

Branch Duct IPMN

Mixed Duct IPMN

2 Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm (MCN)

(B) Non-mucinous Cysts

Serous Cystadenoma (SCA)

Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor (SPT)

Cystic Neuroendocrine Tumor (Cystic-NET)

Squamous-Lined Cysts

Epidermoid Cysts

Lymphoepithelial Cysts

Pseudocysts

(C) Other malignant Cysts

Ductal Adenocarcinoma with Cystic Degeneration

Acinar Cell Cystadenocarcinoma

Cystic Degeneration of Metastatic Lesions to the Pancreas

IPMN: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

In general, mucinous pancreatic cysts have the potential for malignant trans-formation, while non-mucinous SCAs are typically benign neoplasms. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately diagnose and differentiate pancreatic lesions, as it will impact future prognosis and treatment plans. The evaluation of pancreatic cysts is a multimodality approach, utilizing a combination of clinical history, demographics, radiographic and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features, cytology, and cyst fluid analysis [i.e., carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and amylase][5]. Despite these multidisciplinary techniques, distinguishing pancreatic cyst type prior to surgical intervention remains difficult and there is a need for improved diagnostic strategies.

Summary of current guidelines

Multiple guidelines have been developed to aid the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cysts, including the International Consensus Guidelines (Sendai 2006, Fukuoka 2012, and Fukuoka 2017), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) 2015 guidelines, and clinical guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology[6-10]. Current guidelines recommend surgical resection of all large cysts (> 4 cm), MCNs (malignancy risk: 17.5%), main duct (MD)-IPMNs (malignancy risk: 61%) and branch duct (BD)-IPMNs with high-risk features (obstructive jaundice, dilated main pancreatic duct > 1 cm, solid enhancing intracystic nodule; malignancy risk: 25%)[7]. A summary of these guidelines can be found in Table 2.

Table 2 Treatment and surveillance guidelines for pancreatic cysts.

Guideline	Recommendations
Sendai 2006 [8]	Recommended surgical resection if any of the following lesions were suspected:
	MCNs
	Main duct IPMNs
	Mixed duct IPMNs
	Also recommended surgical resection also based on:
	Clinical symptoms
	Dilated pancreatic duct (≥6mm)
	Intracystic mural nodules
	Positive cytology [8]
Fukuoka 2012 [6]	Recommended surgical resection for high-risk criteria:
	Dilated pancreatic duct (≥10mm)
	Presence of an enhancing solid component
	Obstructive jaundice [6]
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) 2015 [9]	Recommended EUS-FNA if 2 out of 3 of the following high-risk features were present:
	Size ≥ 3 cm
	Dilated main pancreatic duct
	Solid component
	Recommended surgical resection if a cyst had both of the following:
	Solid component
	Dilated pancreatic duct and/or concerning features on EUS-FNA [9]
Fukuoka 2017 [7]	Enhancing mural nodule is a high risk feature if measuring ≥ 5 mm
	Added surveillance guidelines for BD-IPMN, noting presence of lymphadenopathy, increased serum CA19-9 and cyst growth rate >5 mm in diameter over 2 years as “worrisome features” [7]

MCN: Mucinous cystic neoplasm; IPMN: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; BD-IPMN: Branched duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; EUS: Endoscopic ultrasound; FNA: Fine needle aspiration.

In a systemic review of the clinical utility of Sendai and Fukuoka Guidelines, both had lower positive predictive value (PPV) (Sendai: 11%-52%; Fukuoka 27%-100%) for worrisome and/or high-risk criteria to predict malignancy in surgical resected IPMNs. While further enhancements are needed to the current consensus guidelines to improve the management of patients with mucinous cysts, additional imaging modalities, such as endoscopic ultrasound needle-based confocal endomicroscopy (EUS-nCLE), and novel pancreatic molecular biomarkers are promising new technologies that may prove crucial in how pancreatic cysts are differentiated and treated. This review aims to summarize the current literature on confocal endomicroscopy and cyst fluid molecular analysis for the evaluation of pancreatic cysts.

NOVEL DIAGNOSTICS

Imaging of pancreatic cysts

Confocal laser endomicroscopy is a novel technology that allows for real-time microscopic imaging of intracystic epithelium in vivo. An endoscopic and mini probe-based modality, CLE probes can be introduced into pancreatic cysts through a 19-gauge FNA needle to allow for high magnification and resolution imaging of cyst epithelium during EUS. Intravenous fluorescein is used during EUS-nCLE to further enhance blood vessels and other structures within the pancreatic cysts. The indication for EUS-nCLE is the evaluation of pancreatic cysts where fine needle aspiration is being considered, typically for lesions measuring ≥ 2 cm in size. EUS-nCLE is contraindicated in patients with allergic reactions to fluorescein.

Pancreatic cysts have characteristic patterns on EUS-nCLE imaging that aid in their identification and classification. Figure 1 summarizes pancreatic cysts types and their associated imaging patterns on EUS-nCLE. These images are broadly classified into epithelial and vascular patterns[11,12]. IPMNs are characterized by their finger-like papillae, while MCNs can be identified by their singular or layered epithelial bands[11,13,14]. SCAs have fern-like patterns with a superficial dense network of vessels[14,15]. Pseudocysts appear as bright particles against a dark background, corresponding to inflammatory cells without the presence of a true cysts wall or vascularity[11]. Cystic-NETs and SPNs have a trabecular pattern with high cellularity, appearing as nests or cords of cells separated by fibrous bands[16]. Rarer pancreatic cyst types, for example, lymphoepithelial cysts, have also been described in case reports[17]. Both in vivo and ex vivo nCLE images have been validated and compared with histopathology for IPMNs, MCNs, SCAs, and Cystic-NETs[16,18].

Figure 1 A summary of endoscopic ultrasound needle-base confocal laser endomicroscopy image patterns for pancreatic cysts types.

Several innovative studies have established the safety, feasibility, and ability of nCLE to differentiate pancreatic cyst types. These include the INSPECT, DETECT, CONTACT-1 and -2, and INDEX trials. The INSPECT study (2013) established the safety and demonstrated feasibility of nCLE in differentiating mucinous pancreatic cysts. This study also identified IPMNs as having papillary structures on nCLE[13]. The DETECT study (2015) evaluated the technical feasibility, safety, and diagnostic capabilities of cystoscopy and nCLE for diagnosing pancreatic cysts, showing that this combination of novel imaging modalities has a strong concordance with the definitive diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms[19]. The CONTACT-1 study (2015) evaluated solitary pancreatic cysts in 31 patients using EUS-nCLE. They found that SCAs had a characteristic pattern of superficial vascular networks on nCLE, which correlated microscopically to dense networks of subepithelial capillaries[15]. The CONTACT-2 study (2016) described nCLE patterns for MCNs, pseudocysts, and cystic-NETs that correlated with histology. These cysts appeared as epithelial bands, bright particles on a dark background, and black nests of cells separated by white fibrous bands under nCLE, respectively[11]. The INDEX study (2016) validated previously described nCLE findings for pancreatic cysts, comparing in vivo and ex vivo CLE to surgical histopathology, and showed substantial interobserver agreement and intraobserver reliability for differentiating mucinous pancreatic cyst types in blinded nCLE observers[12,16,20].

In the most recent update of the multicenter CONTACT-2 study (2018), among 78 subjects with reference diagnoses, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, negative predictive value (NPV) for EUS-nCLE to diagnose premalignant pancreatic cysts (MCNs, BD-IPMNs, cystic-NETs, SPNs, and cystic lymphoma) from benign lesions were 96%, 95%, 98%, and 91%, respectively. To differentiate mucinous from non-mucinous lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 95%, 100%, 100% and 94% respectively[21].

Procedural expertise for optimal image acquisition during EUS-nCLE can be obtained by directly observing an expert EUS-nCLE in dedicated workshops and subsequently performing at least 10 cases. Since there are no formal studies to address high-quality image acquisition, the limited case requirement is only an opinion among experts.

Molecular biomarkers for pancreatic cysts

In addition to recent imaging technologies, DNA-based molecular analysis of cyst fluid has also become a useful tool for diagnosing pancreatic cysts. Epithelial cells that line pancreatic cysts shed DNA into cyst fluid through cell lysis or exfoliation. This DNA can be analyzed for genetic alterations associated with a particular diagnosis and prognosis[22,23]. Multiple studies have identified molecular markers associated with each of the major types of pancreatic cysts and genetic profiles that predict progression into adenocarcinoma[22,24,25]. Several aspects of molecular analysis are important for diagnosis and prognostication: DNA quantity and quality, genetic mutations, and tumor suppressor genes or loss of heterozygosity (LOH).

The amount of DNA contained in pancreatic cysts fluid can be determined through spectrophotometry. When a sample is exposed to ultraviolet light in a spectr-ophotometer, a photo-detector measures the quantity of nucleic acid in the sample and calculates its DNA concentration using the optical density ratio at certain wavelengths (260 nm:280 nm). In a prospective, multicenter study of 113 patients, elevated concentrations of DNA within pancreatic cysts were associated with a diagnosis of malignancy[26]. Furthermore, while traditional techniques used to analyze pancreatic cyst fluid, such as cytopathology and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cannot be optimally performed due to the inadequate volume of cells or fluid, pancreatic cysts typically contain enough DNA to evaluate for mutations[26,27].

LOH is when there is a loss of one of the copies of a gene and its surrounding chromosomal region. When there is LOH of a tumor suppressor gene, it can result in loss of tumor suppressor activity and subsequent development of unregulated growth. This can be detected using microsatellite markers linked to tumor suppressor genes and correlates to malignancy[28].

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been crucial in the recent identification of molecular markers for specific pancreatic cyst types. NGS encompasses a number of high-throughput technologies that allow for millions or billions of DNA strands to be sequenced in parallel. It has enabled the rapid sequencing of entire genomes and exomes, as well as more targeted sequencing studies. Prior to NGS, Sanger sequencing was the most widely used method of determining genetic sequences. It was based on selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides (dATP, dTTP, dGTP, dCTP) by DNA polymerase during in vivo DNA replication. Table 3 contains a summary of the genetic mutations associated with each major pancreatic cyst type.

Table 3 A summary of molecular biomarkers for pancreatic cysts types.

Pancreatic cyst type	Molecular biomarkers
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm	KRAS, GNAS, RNF43 positive[22,24,29,34,37]
	Advanced neoplasia: TP53, SMAD4, PIK3CA, PTEN, CDKN2A, AKT1, p16, p53 positive[30-34,38,39]
Mucinous cystic neoplasm	KRAS, RNF3 positive[22,24,29,34,37]
	GNAS negative[24,28,29]
	Advanced neoplasia: TP53, SMAD4, PIK3CA, PTEN, CDKN2A, AKT1 positive[30-34]
Serious cystadenoma	VHL positive[22,24,28]
Solid papillary neoplasm	CTNNB1 positive[22,24]
Pseudocyst	Negative for DNA
Cystic neuroendocrine tumor	Not well described

Of note, KRAS mutations are common in both IPMNs and MCNs, while GNAS mutations are typically found in IPMNs but not MCNs[22,24,28,29]. Both IPMNs and MCNs are also frequently found to have RNF43 mutations[22,24]. Malignant and high-grade IPMNs have been found to have TP53, SMAD4, PIK3CA, PTEN, CDKN2A, and AKT1 mutations[30-34]. Additionally, VHL mutations are highly specific for SCAs[22,24,28] and Β-catenin gene (CTNNB1) mutations are associated with solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms[22,24].

A recent prospective study of 626 pancreatic cyst fluid specimens showed that KRAS/GNAS mutations were associated with an 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity for mucinous pancreatic cysts and that NGS had improved sensitivity over Sanger sequencing. It also showed that the combination of KRAS/GNAS mutations and alterations in TP53/PIK3CA/PTEN had an 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity for advanced neoplasia, which was better than the presence of ductal dilation, a mural nodule, and malignant cytopathology in identifying high-grade cysts[34].

Table 4 compares the key benefits and drawbacks of EUS-nCLE and molecular analysis of cyst fluid. NGS is not without limitations. Certain pancreatic cyst types are currently poorly identified using molecular analysis, suggesting the need for further exploration of molecular biomarkers. Although MCNs are readily associated with several genetic changes (e.g., KRAS, RNF3), these mutations have low sensitivity (33% for KRAS and 8%-35% for RNF3 in MCNs), which could result in under-detection[28,33-35]. The Sanger sequencing technique is not able to detect the entire loss of the VHL gene but can detect deletions and insertions within exons or complete loss of an exon. Hence Sanger sequencing has low sensitivity for the detection of VHL mutation which is otherwise commonly observed in SCAs[34,36]. Additionally, molecular markers in cystic-NETs are poorly characterized in current literature.

Table 4 Benefits and drawbacks of molecular analysis of cyst fluid and confocal endomicroscopy[11,12,15,29,34].

Molecular analysis of PCL fluid	EUS-nCLE of PCLs
(DNA analysis)
High sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mucinous PCLs	High sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mucinous PCLs
Markers can detect advanced neoplasia in IPMNs; need validation in multicenter studies	Need further studies to address role of EUS-nCLE in the identification of advanced neoplasia in PCLs
Lower sensitivity for the detection of KRAS mutations in MCNs	Detection of flat epithelium in MCNs can be difficult for early adapters of EUS-nCLE
Need large multicenter prospective studies with confirmed histopathology to replicate single center results	Need large multicenter prospective studies with confirmed histopathology to replicate single center results
Lack of established markers for cystic-NET and squamous lined cysts	EUS-nCLE reveals specific image patterns for different PCL types. Unable to differentiate between cystic-NET and SPN
During EUS-FNA, 5%-10% of PCLs may not yield DNA for molecular analysis	There is a 2%-5% risk of technical and procedural issues with failure of image acquisition during EUS-nCLE
Low sensitivity for the detection of VHL mutations in SCAs	EUS-nCLE identifies characteristic ‘fern-pattern’ of vascularity for diagnosing SCAs

PCL: Pancreatic cystic lesions; MCN: Mucinous cystic neoplasm; EUS: Endoscopic ultrasound; nCLE: Needle based confocal laser endomicroscopy; FNA: Fine needle aspiration; Cystic-NET: Cystic neuroendocrine tumor; SPN: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes recent technological advances in the evaluation of pancreatic cysts: confocal endomicroscopy and molecular biomarkers. Both EUS-nCLE and cyst fluid analysis have demonstrated their ability to help diagnose and differentiate pancreatic cysts with high accuracy. Current methods for diagnosing pancreatic cysts, such as imaging (MRI/CT), endoscopy (EUS), cytology, CEA, and amylase, often yield suboptimal or indeterminate results. Given the limitations of existing diagnostic strategies, these minimally invasive technologies, therefore, have the potential to increase diagnostic accuracy, improve risk stratification, and serve as useful adjuncts to current management protocols. As emerging technologies, both confocal endomicroscopy and DNA analysis currently are utilized predominantly in academic settings and are not yet widely used in clinical practice. Thus, additional studies and clinician training will be needed to incorporate them into routine use. Because the number of large (> 2 cm) pancreatic cysts found on abdominal imaging continues to grow each year, diagnostics like confocal endomicroscopy and molecular analysis are more important than ever for accurately diagnosing pancreatic lesions and guiding the next steps in their management.