Colorectal liver metastases patients prognostic assessment: prospects and limits of radiomics and radiogenomics.

In this narrative review, we reported un up-to-date on the role of radiomics to assess prognostic features, which can impact on the liver metastases patient treatment choice. In the liver metastases patients, the possibility to assess mutational status (RAS or MSI), the tumor growth pattern and the histological subtype (NOS or mucinous) allows a better treatment selection to avoid unnecessary therapies. However, today, the detection of these features require an invasive approach.

Randomized phase II study of valproic acid in combination with bevacizumab and oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidine regimens in patients with -mutated metastatic colorectal cancer: the REVOLUTION study protocol.

Background: Despite effective treatments, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) prognosis is still poor, mostly in -mutated tumors, thus suggesting the need for novel combinatorial therapies. Epigenetic alterations play an important role in initiation and progression of cancers, including CRC. Histone-deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have shown activity in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors.

Phase III study with FOLFIRI + cetuximab versus FOLFIRI + cetuximab followed by cetuximab alone in RAS and BRAF WT mCRC.

The optimal duration and intensity of first-line therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients once they have achieved an objective response is controversial. In a molecularly selected RAS and BRAF wild-type (wt) population, this concern is amplified. Once disease control has been achieved with a combination therapy including an anti-EGFR antibody, further exposure both to cytotoxic drugs and targeted therapy might result only in increased toxicity.

Double-Wall Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoplatelets for Hybrid Conductive Adhesives with Enhanced Thermal and Electrical Conductivity.

Improving the electrical and thermal properties of conductive adhesives is essential for the fabrication of compact microelectronic and optoelectronic power devices. Here we report on the addition of a commercially available conductive resin with double-wall carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets that yields simultaneously improved thermal and electrical conductivity. Using isopropanol as a common solvent for the debundling of nanotubes, exfoliation of graphene, and dispersion of the carbon nanostructures in the epoxy resin, we obtain a nanostructured conducting adhesive with thermal conductivity of ∼12 W/mK and resistivity down to 30 μΩ cm at very small loadings (1% w/w for nanotubes and 0.

Gastrointestinal non colorectal cancer. Do elderly patients need a specific management?

Background: Elderly patients (65 years and over) develop often, sometimes predominantly , esophageal, gastro esophageal junction, gastric and pancreatic cancer (gastrointestinal non colorectal cancer). Most clinical trials exclude elderly patients from accrual considering aging a potential risk factor. In fact an elderly patient can develop greater toxicity than a younger patient from oncologic treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, target therapies) due to a worse function of vital organs.

Randomized multicenter Phase II trial of two different schedules of irinotecan combined with capecitabine as first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

Background: The aim of the current randomized Phase II study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine combined with irinotecan as first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

Methods: A total of 140 patients received capecitabine at a dose of 1250 mg/m(2) twice daily on Days 2-15 and irinotecan at a dose of either 300 mg/m(2) on Day 1 (Arm A) or 150 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8 (Arm B) every 3 weeks. During the course of the study, enrollment was continued using lower doses of capecitabine (1000 mg/m(2) twice daily) and irinotecan (Arm A: 240 mg/m(2); Arm B: 120 mg/m(2)) to improve the safety profile of the combinations.