Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Topical Capsaicin for Delayed Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting.

Purpose: We examined the efficacy of topical capsaicin in reducing delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Methods: Adults on highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens applied 2 g of capsaicin ointment (0.075%) or matching placebo four times a day to the abdomen for 5 days in addition to standard antiemetic regimen in this blinded randomized controlled trial.

The BRCA mutation spectrum among breast and ovarian cancers in India: highlighting the need to screen BRCA1 185delAG among South Indians.

Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 significantly elevate the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Limited data exists regarding the prevalence of BRCA mutations, and optimal, cost-effective testing strategies in developing countries like India. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel for BRCA1/2 mutation testing among women diagnosed with, or at risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.

Comparative analysis of mutational patterns in triple negative breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with residual disease.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease with poor survival compared to other subtypes. Patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) face an increased risk of relapse and death. We aimed to characterize the mutational landscape of this subset to offer insights into relapse pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib in recurrent intestinal-type papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region.

Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare epithelial malignancy primarily treated with surgery and chemoradiation. The combination of low-dose immunotherapy and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in recurrent disease has not been previously studied.A man in his 20s with papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region, following surgical resection, was treated with six cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by four cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin and capecitabine.

Dose-Dense Docetaxel-Cyclophosphamide and Epirubicin-Cisplatin(ddDCEP): Analysis of an Alternative Platinum-Containing Regimen in 116 Patients with Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

We assessed the efficacy, tolerability, and cost-effectiveness of a novel neoadjuvant regimen comprising docetaxel-cyclophosphamide alternating with epirubicin-cisplatin (ddDCEP) administered biweekly for 16 weeks in 116 patients with early triple-negative breast cancer. This regimen achieved a high pathological complete response (ypT0/TisN0) rate of 55.2% and favorable survival outcomes (30-month event-free survival, 91.

Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) with Full Dose Concurrent Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma Including Signet Ring and Mucinous Cancers.

Purpose: Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) with pre-operative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy results in improved survival and is becoming the new standard of care in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). We describe our experience with TNT consisting of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy using full dose 5FU without oxaliplatin.

Methods: Adults with biopsy-proven, newly diagnosed LARC with high-risk characteristics on pelvic MRI (T4a or T4b, extramural vascular invasion, N2, mesorectal fascia involvement, enlargement/tumor deposits on lateral lymph nodes) were included.

Neoadjuvant Versus Adjuvant Systemic Therapy for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Changing Landscape Due to Immunotherapy.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One-third of NSCLC patients present with surgically resectable, non-metastatic disease; however, many of these patients will recur despite curative surgery and adjuvant therapy. The recent publication of randomized trials incorporating immune check-point inhibitors (ICI) to the standard neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatment regimens has reported improved survival with manageable toxicity profiles.

End-of-Treatment FDG PET-CT (EOT-PET) in Patients with Post-Chemotherapy Masses for Seminoma: Can We Avoid Further Intervention?

Anjana Joel  Patients with seminoma present with advanced disease. End-of-treatment (EOT) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is done to assess response and direct management of post-chemotherapy residual masses.  This article assesses the utility of EOT PET-CT in the management of post-chemotherapy residual lymph nodal masses seminoma.

Diagnosis and management of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced acute leukoencephalopathy: lessons learnt from a single-Centre case series.

Background: The administration of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies is associated with common side effects such as mucositis, diarrhoea, and myelosuppression, which are easily managed with supportive measures and dose adjustments. Cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity are rare but reversible side effects of 5-FU and are treated with withdrawal of the drug and conservative measures. The presenting symptoms of 5-FU-induced leukoencephalopathy are often confusing and pose a diagnostic dilemma in routine clinical practice.

Anemia requiring transfusion in breast cancer patients on dose-dense chemotherapy: Prevalence, risk factors, cost and effect on disease outcome.

Purpose: Dose-dense chemotherapy improves survival but with increased toxicity and treatment-related cost. We report the prevalence of anemia and the possible risk factors associated with chemotherapy-related anemia and determine the cost and time-delay associated with transfusion requirement in Indian patients with non-metastatic breast cancer on dose-dense preoperative chemotherapy.

Methods: In this study, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients were treated preoperatively with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide alternating with epirubicin and cisplatin every 2 weeks.

Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine (TEX) triplet regimen as adjuvant chemotherapy in resected gastric adenocarcinoma.

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery for gastric cancer improves survival but is difficult to administer due to poor tolerance. Combination chemotherapy with Docetaxel (Taxotere), Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) and Capecitabine (Xeloda) (TEX) is used in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The efficacy and tolerability of this regimen (TEX) post resection of gastric cancer have not been studied.

Platinum-Pemetrexed Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer (ROC): A Single Center Experience.

In this retrospective analysis of 36 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) treated with platinum pemetrexed doublet ± bevacizumab, the median age was 54.5 years (47-60) and 33 (91.7%) had serous histology.

CDK 4/6 inhibitor induced lung injury: a case report and review of literature.

Palbociclib is a cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor that is indicated in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for first-line treatment of hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 -negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The commonly described side effects of palbociclib are neutropenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, stomatitis, alopecia, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, vomiting, asthenia, peripheral neuropathy and epistaxis. However, post approval, increasing use of this drug has revealed another potentially fatal complication, in the form of pneumonitis, especially in the Asian population.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with biosimilar trastuzumab in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpressed non-metastatic breast cancer: patterns of use and clinical outcomes in India.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is associated with poor prognosis and access to anti-HER2 treatment is still a challenge in lower-middle income countries. The availability of the biosimilar trastuzumab has improved access by lowering the costs. We report the pattern of use of neoadjuvant ± adjuvant trastuzumab and outcomes in patients with HER2-positive non-metastatic breast cancer treated with regimens incorporating shorter durations of therapy and the use of the biosimilar trastuzumab compared to the innovator.

Primary mediastinal germ cell tumours: real world experience in the low middle income (LMIC) setting.

Purpose: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCTs) are rare; with limited data available about their outcomes and optimal treatment in the low middle income countries setting. We studied the clinical profile of patients with PMGCT treated at our centre in order to estimate their survival outcomes and to identify prognostic factors affecting the same.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-seven patients with PMGCTs treated between April 2001 and June 2019 were included.

Mortality from infections as compared to other infections among critically ill patients in South India: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii has become a common pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Although acquiring any nosocomial infection is associated with increased mortality, we do not know if the acquisition of Acinetobacter infection confers a worse prognosis as compared to non-Acinetobacter-related HAI. The aim of the current study is to compare the clinical outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) caused by A.

End-of-life decisions: A retrospective study in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India.

Background & Objectives: In developing countries like India, there is a lack of clarity regarding the factors that influence decisions pertaining to life supports at the end-of-life (EOL). The objectives of this study were to assess the factors associated with EOL-care decisions in the Indian context and to raise awareness in this area of healthcare.

Methods: This retrospectively study included all patients admitted to the medical unit of a tertiary care hospital in southern India, over one year and died.

Clinical characteristics and complications of skull base osteomyelitis: A 12-year study in a teaching hospital in South India.

Context: Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is an uncommon disease with substantial morbidity and mortality.

Aims: The aim of this study is to characterize clinical features, outcomes, and complications of SBO. We also looked at differences in clinical profile in otogenic and non-otogenic SBO.

Splenic granuloma: Melioidosis or Tuberculosis?

Melioidosis well known as a 'great mimicker' is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Even though majority of the patients present with acute infection, around 18 % can present as chronic infection. These latent foci of infection may reactivate to cause fulminant infection at a later date.

Posaconazole: an emerging therapeutic option for invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis.

Posaconazole has significant activity against the Mucormycetes. However, data are limited on the clinical efficacy of posaconazole for treating rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of posaconazole in patients with ROCM.