Pancreatic cyst fluid DNA analysis in evaluating pancreatic cysts: a report of the PANDA study

Background

The role of pancreatic cyst fluid DNA analysis in evaluating pancreatic cysts remains unclear.

Objective

Our purpose was to evaluate the utility of a detailed DNA analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid to diagnose mucinous and malignant cysts.

Design

Prospective, multicenter study.

Patients

Patients with pancreatic cysts presenting for EUS evaluation.

Intervention

EUS-guided pancreatic cyst aspirates cytology evaluation, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level determination, and a detailed DNA analysis; incorporating DNA quantification, k-ras mutation and multiple allelic loss analysis, mutational amplitude, and sequence determination.

Main Outcome Measurements

Cyst fluid analysis compared with surgical pathologic or malignant cytologic examination.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 113 patients with 40 malignant, 48 premalignant, and 25 benign cysts. Cyst fluid k-ras mutation was helpful in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts (odds ratio 20.9, specificity 96%), whereas receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis indicated optimal cutoff points for allelic loss amplitude (area under the curve [AUC] 0.79; optimal value > 65%) and CEA (AUC 0.74; optimal value >148 ng/mL). Components of DNA analysis detecting malignant cysts included allelic loss amplitude over 82% (AUC 0.9) and high DNA amount (optical density ratio >10, AUC 0.79). The criteria of a high amplitude k-ras mutation followed by allelic loss showed maximum specificity (96%) for malignancy. All malignant cysts with negative cytologic evaluation (10/40) could be diagnosed as malignant by using DNA analysis.

Limitations

Limited follow-up, selection bias.

Conclusions

Elevated amounts of pancreatic cyst fluid DNA, high-amplitude mutations, and specific mutation acquisition sequences are indicators of malignancy. The presence of a k-ras mutation is also indicative of a mucinous cyst. DNA analysis should be considered when cyst cytologic examination is negative for malignancy.

Abbreviations: ALA, allelic loss amplitude, AUC, area under the curve, CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen, IPMN, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, IPMC-I, intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma-infiltrating, IPMC-NI, intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma-noninfiltrating, MALA, meal allelic loss amplitude, MCAC, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, OD, optical density ratio, OR, odds ratio