Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40916582›Full record

ArticleCancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)2025

Successful Identification and Treatment of Cancer of Unknown Primary Originating From Gastric Cancer Using Comprehensive Genomic Profiling and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Case Report.

Takahiro Sasaki, Sayaka Yuzawa, Hiroki Tanabe, Yusuke Ono, Keitaro Takahashi, Katsuyoshi Ando, Nobuhiro Ueno, Shin Kashima, Kentaro Moriichi, Mishie Tanino and 2 more

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Takahiro SasakiDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-0412-8760
Sayaka YuzawaDepartment of Diagnostic Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-2337-4000
Hiroki TanabeDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-9029-5081
Yusuke OnoInstitute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo-Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-8385-5386
Keitaro TakahashiDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-4188-0246
Katsuyoshi AndoDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-3500-5488
Nobuhiro UenoDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-5448-4766
Shin KashimaDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-8309-4281
Kentaro MoriichiDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-1298-3265
Mishie TaninoDepartment of Diagnostic Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-3370-0452
Yusuke MizukamiDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-1068-7024
Mikihiro FujiyaDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-4321-7774

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a challenging malignancy characterized by metastatic tumors with an unidentified primary site, even after extensive pathological and radiographic evaluation. Recent advancements in gene expression profiling and comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) have enabled the identification of potential tissue origins, thereby facilitating personalized treatment strategies. Although most cases of CUP present as adenocarcinomas or poorly differentiated tumors, the treatment remains largely empirical, with limited success from molecularly tailored therapies. However, advances in tumor DNA sequencing and targeted therapies hold great promise for enhancing patient outcomes. CASE: A 72-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with a duodenal tumor and gastric ulceration via esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A histological evaluation revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the duodenum, and the immunohistochemistry findings supported a pancreatobiliary origin. An endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the duodenum, while a subsequent gastric examination revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, suggesting dual malignancies. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by pancreatoduodenectomy with distal gastrectomy. The CUP was staged as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (pStage IVB), while the gastric cancer was staged as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (pStage IA). Despite adjuvant TS-1 therapy, lymph node metastasis near the superior mesenteric artery continued to progress. CGP revealed high microsatellite instability and a high tumor mutational burden, along with multiple actionable genetic mutations. Pembrolizumab monotherapy was initiated, leading to complete remission, with no recurrence observed at 1 year after treatment cessation. Genetic and immunohistochemical investigations have identified microsatellite instability in both CUP and gastric cancer tissues, suggesting a shared origin. Targeted gene sequencing confirmed common genetic variations, ultimately revealing that the CUP originated from gastric cancer cells.

conclusionThis case highlights the critical role of CGP in the diagnosis and treatment of CUP. The use of advanced molecular techniques, including NGS, revealed the gastric origin of CUP and identified actionable biomarkers, leading to successful treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Indexed as

AdenocarcinomaDuodenal NeoplasmsImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsNeoplasms, Unknown PrimaryStomach NeoplasmsAgedAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedBiomarkers, TumorFemaleGastrectomyGene Expression ProfilingHigh-Throughput Nucleotide SequencingHumansNeoadjuvant TherapyPancreaticoduodenectomyAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedBiomarkers, TumorImmune Checkpoint InhibitorspembrolizumabCGPCUPICI

Identifiers

PMID40916582
PMCPMC12415352

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.