Olaparib maintenance versus placebo in platinum-sensitive non-small cell lung cancer: the Phase 2 randomized PIPSeN trial.

Background: Platinum-sensitivity is a phenotypic biomarker of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) sensitivity in histotypes where PARPi are approved. Approximately one-third of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are platinum-sensitive. The double-blind, randomized phase II PIPSeN (NCT02679963) study evaluated olaparib, a PARPi, as maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive advanced NSCLC.

Effects of Physical Activity Interventions on Self-Perceived Health Status among Lung Cancer Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Patients with lung cancer may experience deterioration in quality of life due to adverse effects caused by their disease and its treatment. Although exercise programs have been shown to improve quality of life in certain stages of the disease, the overall impact on this population is unknown. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of physical activity on the self-perception of quality of life, physical wellbeing and dyspnea in lung cancer patients.

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in lung cancer patients.

Objective: Patients with lung cancer are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe complications from COVID-19, but information on the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in these patients is scarce. We aimed at evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in this population.

Patients And Methods: The prospective, nationwide SOLID substudy, enrolled adults with lung cancer who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Assessment of exposure-response relationship for cetuximab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer.

Objective: There is limited scientific evidence on the cetuximab exposure-response relationship and no concentration threshold has been associated with optimal disease control. The aims were to assess, in a real-life setting, the  relationship between steady state cetuximab concentrations (Ctrough, SS) and  disease control.

Method: A prospective observational study in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer or head and neck cancer treated with cetuximab.

Seroprevalence and immunological memory against SARS-CoV-2 in lung cancer patients: the SOLID study.

Background: At present, we did not find any articles that studied seroprevalence and its persistence several months later in lung cancer patients in the setting of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Most patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) go on to develop antibodies (Abs) against viral proteins. However, it is not known how long these Abs last nor whether cancer treatments could affect the duration of immune response.

A Multicenter Analysis of the Outcome of Cancer Patients with Neutropenia and COVID-19 Optionally Treated with Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF): A Comparative Analysis.

Background: Approximately 15% of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 develop a distress syndrome secondary to a host hyperinflammatory response induced by a cytokine storm. Myelosuppression is associated with a higher risk of infections and mortality. There are data to support methods of management for neutropenia and COVID-19.

Assessment of exposure-response relationship for bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Limited literature is available for bevacizumab exposure-response relationship and there is not a concentration threshold associated with an optimal disease control. This prospective observational study in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) aims to evaluate, in a real-life setting, the relationship between bevacizumab through concentrations at steady state (C) and disease control. C were drawn, coinciding with the radiological evaluation of the response (progression or clinical benefit).

Lung cancer patients with COVID-19 in Spain: GRAVID study.

Introduction: Patients with cancer may be at increased risk of more severe COVID-19 disease; however, prognostic factors are not yet clearly identified. The GRAVID study aimed to describe clinical characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of poor outcome in patients with lung cancer and COVID-19.

Methods: Prospective observational study that included medical records of patients with lung cancer and PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis across 65 Spanish hospitals.

Comprehensive cross-platform comparison of methods for non-invasive EGFR mutation testing: results of the RING observational trial.

Several platforms for noninvasive EGFR testing are currently used in the clinical setting with sensitivities ranging from 30% to 100%. Prospective studies evaluating agreement and sources for discordant results remain lacking. Herein, seven methodologies including two next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based methods, three high-sensitivity PCR-based platforms, and two FDA-approved methods were compared using 72 plasma samples, from EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients progressing on a first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).

Randomized Phase III Trial of Erlotinib versus Docetaxel in Patients with Advanced Squamous Cell Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Failing First-Line Platinum-Based Doublet Chemotherapy Stratified by VeriStrat Good versus VeriStrat Poor. The European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP) EMPHASIS-lung Trial.

Introduction: Docetaxel and erlotinib are registered second-line treatments for wild-type EGFR NSCLC. Previous studies suggested a predictive value of the VeriStrat test in second-line therapy of NSCLC, classifying patients as either VeriStrat good or VeriStrat poor. EMPHASIS-lung aimed at exploring this predictive effect in patients with squamous cell NSCLC.

Targeted Therapy in Locally Advanced and Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LA-R/M HNSCC).

Surgery and radiotherapy are the standard treatment options for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Chemoradiotherapy is an alternative for patients with locally advanced disease. In recurrent/metastatic disease and after progression to platin-based regimens, no standard treatments other than best supportive care are currently available.

Prognostic value of KIT expression in small cell lung cancer.

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive disease, with poor survival rates despite standard treatment with combination chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Further insights into the molecular biology of this malignant tumour are needed to improve the therapeutic approaches and outcome. KIT protein is expressed in SCLC, and its kinase activity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many tumours, including SCLC.

Assessment of procalcitonin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with solid tumors and febrile neutropenia.

Background: Cancer patients with fever and neutropenia currently are assessed on clinical grounds only. The current study prospectively evaluated the efficacy of baseline procalcitonin (PCT) in the detection of bacteremia and in the prediction of outcome in patients with solid tumors and febrile neutropenia.

Methods: PCT levels were determined at baseline and every 48 hours in 104 patients undergoing chemotherapy who developed fever (axillary temperature > 38 degrees C on 2 occasions or > 38.

Pemetrexed in bladder, head and neck, and cervical cancers.

Pemetrexed is a novel multitargeted antifolate analog. The drug has shown encouraging activity in a wide range of solid tumors, including cervix, head and neck, and bladder carcinomas, which are the focus of this review. Toxicity, particularly hematologic, is higher in patients with these tumor types than in other populations exposed to pemetrexed.