Publications by authors named "Appetecchia M"

Background: This article analyzes the main coordination needs linked to the diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases, presenting the various integration tools that our healthcare organization adopted to guarantee continuity of care at the IRCCS IFO (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri) in Rome. The object of investigation is the disease management team (DMT) organization for the diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from oncological disease and the consequences in terms of improving their management.

Methods: The study focuses, in particular, on the analysis of the different organizational methods chosen for the management of activities related to diagnosis and treatment paths.

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: The current possible treatments of advanced medullary carcinoma (MTC) include different drugs belonging to the class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): vandetanib, cabozantinb, and selpercatinib. Although the effects of these TKIs have been well described in clinical trials, the real-practice evidence of the effectiveness and safety of these treatment is scant. This real-world case series aims to describe a niche of patients with advanced MTC treated with more than one TKI by focusing on treatment responses and any reported adverse events (AEs) and to provide additional insight on the individualized approach to the management of metastatic MTC.

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Dyslipidemia is a potential unfavorable prognostic factor in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); conversely, statins proved to have antiproliferative effects in NET cell lines and could be a helpful therapeutic strategy for these patients. The main objective of this observational cohort retrospective study is to explore the associations between dyslipidemia and NET progression and evaluate the potential influence of statins in this context. 393 patients with histologically confirmed gastroenteropancreatic or bronchopulmonary NETs from six Italian centres didicated to NET diagnosis and therapy were included.

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Background: The aim of our retrospective study was to describe the immunophenotypic characteristics of neuroendocrine breast neoplasm (BNEN), a peculiar and rare type of breast carcinoma.

Methods: Pathological data from 51 patients affected by BNEN were retrospectively evaluated, and 44 patients were considered eligible (7 patients with incomplete data were excluded). The patients were followed in six different Italian hospitals between 2009 and 2019.

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Gender medicine studies how health status and diseases differ between men and women in terms of prevention, therapeutic approach, prognosis, and psychological and social impact. Sex and gender analyses have been demonstrated to improve science, contributing to achieving real appropriateness and equity in the cure for each person. Therefore, it is fundamental to consider, both in preclinical and clinical research, the different clinical and biological features associated with sex and/or gender, where sex differences are mainly influenced by biological determinants and gender ones by socio-cultural and economic matters.

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Article Synopsis
  • Inositols may play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer by influencing survival and growth pathways, immunity, and oxidative stress.
  • * Many endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors show disrupted pathways that inositols normally help regulate, but the effects of inositol supplementation in these cases are not well understood.
  • * This review aims to outline the molecular mechanisms behind inositols' potential role in these tumors and suggests that they could be used as an additional therapy alongside traditional treatments.
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Pasireotide-LAR is recommended as a second-line treatment for patients with acromegaly. Although the effects of pasireotide-LAR have been well characterized in clinical studies, real-practice evidence is scant, especially in the long term and within the individualization of therapy in patients with comorbidities. To provide additional insight on the individualized approach to acromegaly management, six clinical cases of complex acromegaly treated with pasireotide-LAR for more than 5 years were reported.

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Article Synopsis
  • The field of oncology has increasingly recognized gender differences in cancer epidemiology and treatment responses over the past 20 years, emphasizing the need to consider sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations.
  • A working group led by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology developed guidelines through a consensus conference approach, evaluating various topics like healthcare organization and cancer biology, and included successful case studies to support their findings.
  • The group identified 50 recommendations from a review of 42 articles and additional expert input, highlighting the importance of gender-specific criteria for both research and patient care in oncology.
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Background: d-Chiro-inositol is a natural molecule that, in association with its well-studied isomer myo-inositol, may play a role in treating various metabolic and gynecological disorders.

Objectives: This perspective seeks to explore the mechanisms and functions of d-chiro-inositol, laying the foundations to discuss its use in clinical practice, across dysmetabolism, obesity, and hormonal dysregulation.

Methods: A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to the authors was conducted.

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Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP‑NEN) are a group of rare tumors whose specific pathogenetic mechanisms of resistance to therapies have not been completely revealed yet. Chemotherapy is the main therapeutic approach in patients with GEP‑NEN, however, novel combination regimens and targeted therapy are continuously explored. In the present study, the anticancer effect of a novel Ruthenium (Ru)(II)‑Bisdemethoxycurcumin (Ru‑bdcurc) compound was evaluated in BON‑1 cell line, one of the few cell lines derived from GEP‑NEN, largely used in experimental research of this type of tumors.

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Article Synopsis
  • Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors, and existing databases like SEER are outdated due to recent advancements in diagnostics and treatments, prompting the need for updated information.
  • In 2019, the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet) launched a nationwide database to collect data on gastroenteropancreatic NENs from 37 Italian centers, focusing on details like age, diagnostics, tumor stage, and treatments.
  • By October 2023, the database has recorded data from 1,600 patients, with plans to reach 3,600 by the end of 2025, aiming to improve understanding of GEP-NENs and enhance patient
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Background: Molecular Tumor Boards (MTB) operating in real-world have generated limited consensus on good practices for accrual, actionable alteration mapping, and outcome metrics. These topics are addressed herein in 124 MTB patients, all real-world accrued at progression, and lacking approved therapy options.

Methods: Actionable genomic alterations identified by tumor DNA (tDNA) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling were mapped by customized OncoKB criteria to reflect diagnostic/therapeutic indications as approved in Europe.

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Background: The incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) and related carcinoid syndrome (CaS) has increased markedly in recent decades, and women appear to be more at risk than men. As per other tumors, gender may be relevant in influencing the clinical and prognostic characteristics of NEN-associated CS. However, specific data on carcinoid syndrome (CaS) are still lacking.

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Introduction: Mitotane, the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma, is associated with several side effects including neurotoxicity. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between mitotane plasma levels and neurological toxicity.

Methods: We have considered five patients affected by adrenocortical carcinoma treated with mitotane.

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The use of pharmacogenetic guidelines in personalizing treatments has shown the potential to reduce interindividual variability in drug response by enabling genotype-matched dosing and drug selection. However, other important factors, such as patient gender, may interact strongly with pharmacogenetics in determining the individual profile of toxicity and efficacy but are still rarely considered when planning pharmacological treatment. The literature indicates that males and females respond differently to drugs, with women being at higher risk for toxicity and having different plasma exposure to drugs at standard doses.

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Introduction: Several predictive scores to evaluate outcomes of adrenal surgery for unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA), have been conceived. We compared a novel trifecta that summarizes outcomes of adrenal surgery for UPA with the clinical cure proposed by Vorselaars.

Material And Methods: Between March 2011 and January 2022, a multi-institutional dataset was queried for UPA.

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Background: To evaluate the ability of therapeutic intensity score (TIS) in predicting the clinical outcomes of partial (PA) and total adrenalectomy (TA) for UPA.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2022, a four-center adrenalectomy dataset was queried for "unilateral adrenal mass" and "UPA" (n = 90). Preoperative TIS of each antihypertensive medication were individually calculated and merged to create a single, cumulative variable.

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Background: Sellar/parasellar lesions have been studied in the adult and paediatric age range, but during the transition age their epidemiology, clinical manifestations, management and treatment outcomes have been poorly investigated.

Materials And Methods: An Italian multicentre cohort study, in which hospital records of patients with diagnosis of sellar/parasellar lesions during the transition age and young adulthood (15-25 years), were reviewed in terms of prevalence, clinical and hormonal features at diagnosis, and outcomes where available. Both pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (pituitary tumours, Group A) and non-endocrine lesions (Group B) were included.

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Introduction: Treatment of acromegaly resistant to first generation somatostatin analogues (first gen-SSA) is often difficult. We aimed to investigate the role of partial response and resistance to first gen-SSA in the choice of second line treatments and their outcomes.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective and multicenter study was conducted on 100 SSA-resistant acromegaly patients and treated with Pasireotide Lar (Pasi-Lar), Peg-V in monotherapy (m-Peg-V) or in combination with first gen-SSA (c-Peg-V).

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Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) using radiolabeled somatostatin analogs has been used for over two decades for the treatment of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and the publication of the NETTER-1 trials has further strengthened its clinical use. However, many aspects of this treatment are still under discussion. The purpose of this review is to collect and discuss the new available evidence, published in 2021, on the use of Lu-Oxodotreotide (DOTATATE) or Y-Edotreotide (DOTATOC) in adult patients with NETs focusing on the following hot topics: 1) PRRT use in new clinical settings, broaden its indications; 2) the short- and long-term safety; and 3) the identification of prognostic and predictive factors.

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Purpose: Well-differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumors (Lu-NET) are classified as typical (TC) and atypical (AC) carcinoids, based on mitotic counts and necrosis. However, prognostic factors, other than tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and the histopathological diagnosis, are still lacking. The current study is aimed to identify potential prognostic factors to better stratify lung NET, thus, improving patients' treatment strategy and follow-up.

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Background: To propose a trifecta that summarizes endpoints and predicts their maintenance after adrenalectomy ( = 90) for unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA).

Methods: Trifecta was defined as coexistence of: ≥50% antihypertensive therapeutic intensity score reduction (∆TIS), no hypokalemia at 3 months, and no Clavien grade 2-5. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of trifecta.

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Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival in patients affected by several solid tumours at the cost of new autoimmune adverse events. Endocrine toxicity is frequently reported in patients treated with these agents, mainly as thyroid dysfunction and hypophysitis. Primary adrenal insufficiency is reported in 1-2% of patients receiving a single ICI, but its rate is approximately 5% in patients treated with a combination of two ICIs.

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Purpose: Angiogenic markers in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have recently received increasing attention, but their clinical role remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of angiogenic markers in NEN aggressiveness and prognosis.

Methods: We performed a prospective observational study including 46 consecutive patients with proven NENs of pulmonary (45.

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Purpose: Risk factors for sporadic GEP-NENs are still not well defined. To identify the main clinical risk factors represents the aim of this study performed by three Italian referral centers for NENs.

Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study including 148 consecutive sporadic GEP-NENs and 210 age- and sex-matched controls.

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