Safety and efficacy analysis of neoadjuvant pertuzumab, trastuzumab and standard chemotherapy for HER2-positive early breast cancer: real-world data from NeoPowER study.

Background: The addition of pertuzumab (P) to trastuzumab (H) and standard chemotherapy (CT) as neoadjuvant treatment (NaT) for patients with HER2 + breast cancer (BC), has shown to increase the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, without main safety concerns. The aim of NeoPowER trial is to evaluate safety and efficacy of P + H + CT in a real-world population.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of stage II-III, HER2 + BC patients treated with NaT: who received P + H + CT (neopower group) in 5 Emilia Romagna institutions were compared with an historical group who received H + CT (control group).

First-line treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: the real-world Italian cohort of the Prostate Cancer Registry.

Background: With the availability of multiple treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), new real-world data on disease management and drugs' performance are needed.

Methods: We described characteristics, management and clinical outcomes of patients receiving first-line mCRPC treatment within the Italian cohort of the real-world, prospective, international Prostate Cancer Registry. Patients were enrolled consecutively (2013-2016) in 32 Italian sites and followed for 3 years.

Iatrogenic Ocular Surface Diseases Occurring during and/or after Different Treatments for Ocular Tumours.

The ocular surface represents a finely regulated system that allows the protection of the eye. It is particularly susceptible to different treatments for intraocular tumours, such as uveal melanoma and conjunctival cancers. Traditionally, the management of ocular tumours depends on the characteristics of the lesion, and is based on a combination of selective surgery, topical chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy delivered through different mechanisms (e.

Effective Containment of a COVID-19 Subregional Outbreak in Italy Through Strict Quarantine and Rearrangement of Local Health Care Services.

Background: Since the beginning of the pandemic, the epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy has been characterized by the occurrence of subnational outbreaks. The World Health Organization recommended building the capacity to rapidly control COVID-19 clusters of cases in order to avoid the spread of the disease. This study describes a subregional outbreak of COVID-19 that occurred in the Emilia Romagna region, Italy, and the intervention undertaken to successfully control it.

Phase II study of liposomal doxorubicin, docetaxel and trastuzumab in combination with metformin as neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to improve activity over single human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-blockade sequential neaodjuvant regimens for HER2-positive breast cancer, by exploiting the concomitant administration of trastuzumab, taxane and anthracycline, while restraining cardiac toxicity with use of liposomal doxorubicin, and by adding metformin, based on preliminary evidence of antitumor activity.

Patients And Methods: This multi-center, single-arm, two-stage phase II trial, assessed the safety and the activity of a new treatment regimen for HER2-positive, early or locally advanced breast cancer. Patients received six 21-day cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, 50 mg/m intravenously (i.

Fighting cancer in coronavirus disease era: organization of work in medical oncology departments in Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

To assess the measures applied to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the timing of their application in medical oncology departments. We surveyed all medical oncology departments from the Italian Emilia Romagna region via a multidomain questionnaire. The questions covered items on patients, healthcare workers, risk reduction measure and clinical trials.

The Role of Nutrition and Nutritional Supplements in Ocular Surface Diseases.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface system whose chore mechanisms are tear film instability, inflammation, tear hyperosmolarity and epithelial damage. In recent years, novel therapies specifically targeting inflammation and oxidative stress are being investigated and used in this field. Therefore, an increasing body of evidence supporting the possible role of different micronutrients and nutraceutical products for the treatment of ocular surface diseases is now available.

Impact of influenza syndrome and flu vaccine on survival of cancer patients during immunotherapy in the INVIDIa study.

INVIDIa was a retrospective, multicenter study, exploring the clinical efficacy of influenza vaccine in 300 cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. Overall survival (OS) was immature at the initial report. We reported the final OS analysis from the original study population and within subgroups.

Second line therapy with axitinib after only prior sunitinib in metastatic renal cell cancer: Italian multicenter real world SAX study final results.

Background: This multi-institutional retrospective real life study was conducted in 22 Italian Oncology Centers and evaluated the role of Axitinib in second line treatment in not selected mRCC patients.

Methods: 148 mRCC patients were evaluated. According to Heng score 15.

INfluenza Vaccine Indication During therapy with Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a transversal challenge. The INVIDIa study.

Aim: Considering the unmet need for the counseling of cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CKI) about influenza vaccination, an explorative study was planned to assess flu vaccine efficacy in this population.

Methods: INVIDIa was a retrospective, multicenter study, enrolling consecutive advanced cancer outpatients receiving CKI during the influenza season 2016-2017.

Results: Of 300 patients, 79 received flu vaccine.

Negative prognostic factors and resulting clinical outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma included in the Italian nivolumab-expanded access program.

Aim: We report the outcomes observed with nivolumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients with poor prognostic features enrolled in the Italian expanded access program.

Patients & Methods: Nivolumab was available for patients who relapsed after at least one prior systemic treatment in the advanced or metastatic setting.

Results: Of 389 patients, 32 (8%) had brain metastasis, 129 (33%) had liver and 193 (50%) had bone metastasis.

A pilot study on the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine in paclitaxel- and cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Aims And Background: In addition to bone marrow suppression and renal toxicity, neurotoxicity is a commonly occurring side effect of widely used chemotherapeutic agents like taxanes, cisplatin and vinca alkaloids. Neurotoxicity can cause antitumor therapy discontinuation or dose regimen modification. The aim of the present exploratory study was to investigate the activity of acetyl-L-carnitine in reversing peripheral neuropathy in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Phase II study of gemcitabine-cisplatin-paclitaxel triplet as induction chemotherapy in inoperable, locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Our objective was to determine the activity in terms of response rate, surgical resectability, and the tolerability of the new three-drug combination gemcitabine-cisplatin-paclitaxel (GCP) in unresectable stage IIIA(N2) and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patient And Methods: Forty-two chemo-naive patients with stage IIIA(N2)-IIIB NSCLC, median age of 59 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1, and the ability to tolerate pneumectomy, received gemcitabine (Gem) 1000 mg/m(2) IV days 1 and 8, cisplatin (CDDP) 50 mg/m(2) IV days 1 and 8, paclitaxel 125 mg/m(2) 1h infusion IV days 1 and 8, every 21 days for 3 cycles. After induction chemotherapy, patients were evaluated for surgery or definitive radiotherapy.

Gemcitabine and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy for patients with unresectable Stage IIIA-bulky N2 and Stage IIIB nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: an Italian Lung Cancer Project Observational Study.

Background: The objective of this trial was to evaluate the activity and safety of one of the newer platinum-based doublets as a neoadjuvant regimen in patients with unresectable Stage IIIA-bulky N2 and Stage IIIB nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Methods: From June 1996 to April 2000, 129 consecutive patients with locally advanced NSCLC were treated with gemcitabine, 1000 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8 and cisplatin, 70 mg/m(2) on Day 2 (GC) of a 21-day treatment cycle, for 4 cycles, as part of a combined-modality approach.

Results: After induction chemotherapy, 80 patients (62%; 95% confidence interval, 53.