Optimising primary molecular profiling in non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Molecular profiling of NSCLC is essential for optimising treatment decisions, but often incomplete. We assessed the efficacy of protocolised molecular profiling in the current standard-of-care (SoC) in a prospective observational study in the Netherlands and measured the effect of providing standardised diagnostic procedures. We also explored the potential of plasma-based molecular profiling in the primary diagnostic setting.

Open communication between patients and relatives about illness & death in advanced cancer-results of the eQuiPe Study.

Objective: To assess the degree of openness of communication about illness and death between patients with advanced cancer and their relatives during the last three months of the patient's life, and its association with relatives' characteristics and bereavement distress.

Methods: We used data from bereaved relatives of patients with advanced cancer from the prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational eQuipe study. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between the degree of openness of communication (measured using the validated Caregivers' Communication with patients about Illness and Death scale), the a priori defined characteristics of the relatives, and the degree of bereavement distress (measured using the Impact of Event Scale).

Physical activity and checkpoint inhibition: association with toxicity and survival.

Background: Although animal experiments suggest beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) on antitumor immunity, little is known about the effects of PA on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) toxicity and effectiveness in humans. We assessed the association of PA with immune-related adverse events (irAE) and survival in patients undergoing ICI.

Methods: Patients receiving ICI who completed the Dutch short questionnaire to assess health enhancing physical activity (SQUASH) questionnaire at the start of treatment as part of the prospective UNICIT study in an academic hospital were included.

Toxicity-specific peripheral blood T and B cell dynamics in anti-PD-1 and combined immune checkpoint inhibition.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment landscape of advanced malignancies, but come with a diverse spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Mechanistic studies can aid the transition from expert-opinion to evidence-based irAE treatment strategies. We aimed to longitudinally characterize peripheral blood T and B cell dynamics in ICI-treated patients by multicolor flow cytometry and serum multiplex immunoassay at baseline, ± 3 weeks and ± 6 weeks or upon clinically relevant irAEs.

Feasibility and first results of the 'Trials-within-Cohorts' (TwiCs) design in patients undergoing radiotherapy for lung cancer.

'Trials-within-Cohorts' (TwiCs), previously known as 'cohort multiple randomized controlled trials' is a pragmatic trial design, supporting an efficient and representative recruitment of patients for (future) trials. To our knowledge, the 'COhort for Lung cancer Outcome Reporting and trial inclusion' (COLOR) is the first TwiCs in lung cancer patients. In this study we aimed to assess the feasibility and first year results of COLOR.