Molecular Tumor Board Improves Outcomes for Hispanic Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors.

Purpose: Multidisciplinary molecular tumor boards (MTBs) decode complex genomic data into clinical recommendations. Although MTBs are well-established in the oncology practice in developed countries, this strategy needs to be better explored in developing countries. Herein, we describe the possible benefits and limitations of the first MTB established in Colombia.

DICER1-associated central nervous system sarcoma: A comprehensive clinical and genomic characterization of case series of young adult patients.

Background: alterations are associated with intracranial tumors in the pediatric population, including pineoblastoma, pituitary blastoma, and the recently described "primary -associated CNS sarcoma" (DCS). DCS is an extremely aggressive tumor with a distinct methylation signature and a high frequency of co-occurring mutations. However, little is known about its treatment approach and the genomic changes occurring after exposure to chemoradiotherapy.

STEM and Non-STEM Misconceptions About Evolution: Findings from 5 Years of Data.

Even though it is widely held that the theory of evolution is one of the pillars of the biological sciences, as we begin the third decade of the twenty-first century, it is alarming how little we know about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and non-STEM majors' misconceptions about evolution in countries such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Greece, to name a few. The situation is even more complicated if we acknowledge that contemporary educational approaches (e.g.

Application of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Assay to Improve Cancer Care in a Developing Country.

Purpose: Identifying actionable oncogenic mutations have changed the therapeutic landscape in different types of tumors. This study investigated the utility of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), a hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay, in clinical practice in a developing country.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, CGP was performed on clinical samples from patients with different solid tumors recruited between December 2016 and November 2020, using hybrid capture-based genomic profiling, at the individual treating physicians' request in the clinical care for therapy decisions.

Genomic Landscape of Primary Resistance to Osimertinib Among Hispanic Patients with EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Results of an Observational Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (EGFRm) represent one of the most common genomic alterations identified among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several targeted agents for patients with EGFRm have been proven safe and effective, including the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) osimertinib. Nonetheless, some patients will present with or develop EGFR-TKI resistance mechanisms.

Prognostic significance of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter gen mutations in high grade meningiomas.

Introduction: Mutations in the promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase occur frequently in meningiomas. Objective: To estimate the prognostic importance of telomerase reverse transcriptase mutations in Colombian patients with grades II and III meningioma. Materials and methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with refractory or recurrent WHO grades II and III meningiomas, recruited between 2011 and 2018, and treated with systemic therapy (sunitinib, everolimus ± octreotide, and bevacizumab).

Drama as a Powerful Tool to Enrich Socio-scientific Argumentation.

Unlabelled: Socio-scientific argumentation (SSA) is increasingly being recognized as a key aspect of scientific literacy. Much of the reason for this is that this skill is crucial for helping students to become active participants in twenty-first-century democratic societies in which the construction of informed and critical views of socio-scientific issues (e.g.

Mechanisms of Resistance to First-Line Osimertinib in Hispanic Patients With EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (FRESTON-CLICaP).

Introduction: Osimertinib is a third generation EGFR-TKI inhibitor approved in the first-line setting for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, it represents the treatment of choice in patients who present with T790M mutations and evidence of relapse of the disease. Effectiveness and safety of this drug have been studied in multiple clinical trials and observational studies, however, information regarding outcomes among Hispanic patients treated with Osimertinib is scarce.

STK11 and KEAP1 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer patients: Descriptive analysis and prognostic value among Hispanics (STRIKE registry-CLICaP).

Background: Mutations in STK11 (STK11) and, frequently co-occurring, KEAP1 mutations (KEAP1) are associated with poor survival in metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLC) patients treated with immunotherapy. However, there are limited data regarding the prognostic or predictive significance of these genomic alterations among Hispanics.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a cohort of Hispanic patients (N = 103) diagnosed with mNSCLC from the US and seven Latin American countries (LATAM) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) alone or in combination as first-line (Cohort A).

Human papillomavirus infection and lung adenocarcinoma: special benefit is observed in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been associated with the development and modulation of response in a series of neoplasms. In the case of lung adenocarcinoma, its role in etiology and pathogenesis is still controversial. Considering that this infection brings foreign epitopes, it could be of prognostic significance in patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated with immunotherapy.

EGFR Inhibitors Plus Bevacizumab are Superior Than EGFR Inhibitors Alone as First-Line Setting in Advanced NSCLC With EGFR Mutations and BIM Deletion Polymorphisms (BIM-CLICaP).

Purpose: BIM activation is essential for epidermal growth factor receptor ()-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-triggered apoptosis in -mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A deletion in the intron two of the BIM gene results in generation of alternatively spliced isoforms that impairs their apoptotic response to TKIs, conferring the NSCLC cells intrinsic resistance to these medications. Patients with both alterations have poor clinical evolution.

p.G12C KRAS mutation prevalence in non-small cell lung cancer: Contribution from interregional variability and population substructures among Hispanics.

Background: The KRAS exon 2 p. G12C mutation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma has been increasing in relevance due to the development and effectiveness of new treatment medications. Studies around different populations indicate that regional variability between ethnic groups and ancestries could play an essential role in developing this molecular alteration within lung cancer.

Using the Controversy over Human Race to Introduce Students to the Identification and the Evaluation of Arguments.

The identification and the evaluation of arguments are fundamental elements of critical thinking. However, the explicit promotion of these elements is virtually absent from university science courses. Much of the reason for this is that in most universities, across nearly all disciplines, instructors are required to see the conceptual content coverage of the syllabus as a priority.

Towards Covid-19 Literacy: Investigating the Literacy Levels of University Students in Colombia.

Covid-19 literacy, induced by the coronavirus disease (2019), is characterized as the understanding of Covid-19 as well as informed decisions based upon this understanding. This type of literacy is closely related to health literacy, scientific literacy, and scientific media literacy. It may be obvious to say that Covid-19 literacy is a key factor for governments to effectively manage the Covid-19 transition.

Characteristics and outcomes of thymomas in Latin America: Results from over 10 years of experience (CLICaP-LATimus).

Background: Thymomas are a group of rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment approaches in Latin America.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study including patients with histologically proven thymomas diagnosed between 1997 and 2018.

Genotyping Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma in Colombia (Geno1.1-CLICaP).

Background: Lung cancer is a public health problem, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent subtype of this neoplasm. Compared to other subtypes, including adenocarcinoma, SCC is less well understood in terms of molecular pathogenesis, limiting therapeutic options among targeted agents approved for other disease subgroups. In this study, we sought to characterize the SCC genomic profile using a validated Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform.

Using Historical Scientific Controversies to Promote Undergraduates' Argumentation.

The Covid-19 pandemic is the reason why humanity is paying more attention to the importance of regular and rigorous handwashing. Interestingly, in the nineteenth century, regular and rigorous handwashing was a key (and controversial) solution proposed by the Hungarian obstetrician Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis to cut drastically cases of puerperal fever. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence that the case of Semmelweis and puerperal fever-a crucial historical scientific controversy-can be used as a springboard to promote university student argumentation.

Antibiotics impair immune checkpoint inhibitor effectiveness in Hispanic patients with non-small cell lung cancer (AB-CLICaP).

Background: The intestinal microbiota is an important factor in modulating immune-mediated tumor cell destruction. Alterations in the microbiome composition have been linked to reduced efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies. Therefore, antibiotic treatment (ATB), which modifies the diversity of the gut bacteria populations, could lead to a reduced efficacy of ICI treatments.

Immunotherapy at any line of treatment improves survival in patients with advanced metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with chemotherapy (Quijote-CLICaP).

Background: To compare survival outcomes of patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received immunotherapy as first-, second- or beyond line, versus matched patients receiving standard chemotherapy with special characterization of hyperprogressors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 296 patients with unresectable/metastatic NSCLC treated with either, first-, second-, third- or fourth-line of immunotherapy was conducted. A matched comparison with a historical cohort of first-line chemotherapy and a random forest tree analysis to characterize hyperprogressors was conducted.

Multigene Mutation Profiling and Clinical Characteristics of Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Never-Smokers vs. Heavy Smokers (Geno1.3-CLICaP).

Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Presentation and prognosis are known to vary according to several factors, such as genetic and demographic characteristics. Small-cell lung cancer incidence is increasing in never-smokers.

A comprehensive analysis of factors related to carmustine/bevacizumab response in recurrent glioblastoma.

Purpose: Patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) have a poor prognosis, with survival ranging from 25 to 40 weeks. Antiangiogenic agents are widely used, showing a variable response. In this study, we explored the efficacy of carmustine plus bevacizumab (BCNU/Bev) for treating rGBM.

Characteristics and long-term outcomes of advanced pleural mesothelioma in Latin America (MeSO-CLICaP).

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor, associated with poor prognosis. There is a lack of information about the clinical and pathological features related with survival in the Latin American population.

Methods: The MeSO-CLICaP registry identified 302 patients with advanced MPM diagnosed and treated between January 2008 and March 2016.

EGFR exon 20 insertion in lung adenocarcinomas among Hispanics (geno1.2-CLICaP).

Objectives: Contrasting other EGFR mutations (EGFRm) in lung adenocarcinomas, insertions in exon 20 (exon20ins) are generally associated with resistance to targeted therapy, limiting therapeutic options and impoverishing the prognosis compared to other EGFRm. We sought to extensively characterize exon20ins from a large cohort of lung adenocarcinomas in Hispanic patients.

Materials And Methods: This was a region-wide, observational longitudinal cohort study to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of patients with exon20ins in lung adenocarcinoma, based on a secondary analysis of electronic records from the Geno1.

EGFR Amplification and Sensitizing Mutations Correlate with Survival in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients Treated with Erlotinib (MutP-CLICaP).

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a 5-year survival of 5-16%. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, in most cases, confer sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Nonetheless, it is still unclear why clinical outcomes vary among patients with identical EGFR mutations.

Acquired Resistance to Erlotinib in EGFR Mutation-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma among Hispanics (CLICaP).

Background: Lung cancer harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) all eventually develop acquired resistance to the treatment, with half of the patients developing EGFR T790M resistance mutations.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess histological and clinical characteristics and survival outcomes in Hispanic EGFR mutated lung cancer patients after disease progression.

Patients And Methods: EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer patients (n = 34) with acquired resistance to the EGFR-TKI erlotinib were identified from 2011 to 2015.