HITM-SURE: Hepatic immunotherapy for metastases phase Ib anti-CEA CAR-T study utilizing pressure enabled drug delivery.

In recent years, cell therapy technologies have resulted in impressive results in hematologic malignancies. Treatment of solid tumors with chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) has been less successful. Solid tumors present challenges not encountered with hematologic cancers, including high intra-tumoral pressure and ineffective CAR-T trafficking to the site of disease.

Association of primary tumor lymph node ratio with burden of liver metastases and survival in stage IV colorectal cancer.

Background: The primary objective of our study was to assess the association of primary tumor lymph node ratio (LNR) in stage IV colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC) with overall survival (OS) and the extent of metastatic disease in the liver.

Methods: We analyzed data on 53 stage IV CRC patients who underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor. The median LNR of 0.

Chemotherapy does not adversely impact outcome following post-incisional hernia repair with biomaterial mesh.

Background: Patients receiving chemotherapy are at increased risk for developing recurrent or post-incisional hernias (PIH). Biological materials are an alternative to synthetic mesh in contaminated fields. The impact of chemotherapy on biomaterial tissue ingrowth and integration has not been well studied.

Regional hepatic therapies: an important component in the management of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

The treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) has evolved significantly in the last 15 years. Currently, complete surgical resection remains the only potentially curative option; unfortunately, approximately 80% of patients with CRLM are not candidates for complete tumor resection. For patients with unresectable CRLM the available treatment options were historically limited; however, the development of regional hepatic therapies (RHT) and improvement of systemic chemotherapeutic regimens have emerged as viable options to improve overall survival and quality of life for this group of patients.

Age-related trends in utilization of the internet and electronic communication devices for coordination of cancer care in elderly patients.

Objectives: In this rapidly changing electronic era, we implemented a study to define age dependent variations in access and use of internet and electronic devices in the exchange of healthcare related information (HRI) and coordination of clinical care (CCC) among elderly patients with cancer.

Materials And Methods: Data was collected through independently completed surveys after obtaining IRB approval in a single institution cancer center over a 4-month period. Questions regarding internet access and use of electronic media to obtain health information and coordinate care were distributed.

Immunotherapy for solid tumors--a review for surgeons.

Immunotherapy has evolved considerably in the last decade and is becoming an integral component of the armamentarium for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. It is important for clinicians, especially surgeons, to understand the basic principles of novel immunotherapies and the immune system. This review summarizes the evolution of the most relevant immunotherapies, their mechanisms of action, the data supporting their clinical use, and integration of immunotherapy into multidisciplinary management of solid tumors.

Small bowel obstruction from breast cancer metastasis: a case report and review of the literature.

Small bowel obstruction from luminal gastrointestinal metastasis is a rare, but recognized, presentation of metastatic breast cancer. Herein, we report a case of a small bowel obstruction from lobular breast cancer metastasis to the terminal ileum, occurring over a decade after diagnosis and treatment of the initial primary cancer. Our review highlights the presentation and management of this unusual disease manifestation, including diagnosis of the gastrointestinal process, identification of the primary cancer, surgical treatment of the abdominal pathology, systemic therapy for metastatic disease, and survival data for patients with this disease process.

Radiofrequency ablation of primary and metastatic liver tumors: a critical review of the literature.

Background: Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for hepatic tumors; however, for various reasons, the vast majority of patients are not operative candidates. As a result, several local ablative therapies have emerged as alternatives to resection or as adjuncts in total oncologic care. Presently, the most widely employed liver-directed treatment is radiofrequency thermal ablation.

Gastric adenocarcinoma arising from fundic gland polyps in a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare hereditary syndrome characterized by multiple colorectal polyps and early development of colorectal cancer. Although FAP uniformly involves the large bowel, it may also produce lesions in the stomach and upper intestinal tract. Fundic gland polyps are the most common gastric lesion in FAP.

Attenuation of iNOS in an LPS-stimulated macrophage model by omega-3 fatty acids is independent of COX-2 derived PGE2.

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory properties thought to occur through three principal mechanisms; (1) displacement of arachidonic acid from the cellular membrane, (2) differential prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and LTB4 production, and (3) molecular level alterations such as diminished nuclear factor kappa B and AP-1 activation. Recently, n-3 FA have been demonstrated to significantly decrease nitric oxide (NO) production in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated M Phi model. We hypothesized that decreased NO production by n-3 FA occurs through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived PGE2 and that repletion of the system with PGE2 would obliterate these effects.

Inhibition of proliferation by omega-3 fatty acids in chemoresistant pancreatic cancer cells.

Background: Pancreatic cancer-gemcitabine (GEM) chemoresistance has been demonstrated to be associated with enhanced NF-kB activation and antiapoptotic protein synthesis. The well-known capacity of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) to inhibit NF-kB activation and promote cellular apoptosis has the potential to restore or facilitate gemcitabine chemosensitivity.

Methods: Four pancreatic cancer cell lines (MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3, PANC-1, and L3.