Poly(lactic acid) Degradation by Recombinant Cutinases from .

Poly(lactic-acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer widely used as a packaging material. Its monomer, lactic acid, and its derivatives have been used in the food, cosmetic, and chemical industries. The accumulation of PLA residues leads to the development of green degrading methodologies, such as enzymatic degradation.

Quality of life improvement in patients with bone metastases undergoing palliative radiotherapy.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of palliative radiotherapy on quality of life (QoL) in patients with symptomatic bone metastases.

Materials And Methods: We present the results from a prospective multicentric study including 128 patients who provided pre- and post-radiotherapy (one month after treatment) brief pain inventory (BPI) assessments. Worst pain was recorded using the BPI (range: 0-10).

Prospective multicentre analysis of the therapeutic approach and prognostic factors determining overall survival in elderly patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma treated with curative intent.

Objective: To analyse patterns of treatment with curative intent commonly used in elderly patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and predictive factors of overall survival in routine clinical practice.

Methods: This multicentre prospective study included consecutive patients aged ≥65 years old diagnosed with NSCLC between February 2014 and January 2018. Inclusion criteria: age ≥65 years, stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC.

Fasting plasma glucose is an independent predictor of survival in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Diabetes is related with increased cancer mortality across multiple cancer types. Its role in lung cancer mortality is still unclear. We aim to determine the prognostic value of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and diabetes mellitus in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Analysis of predictors of pain response in patients with bone metastasis undergoing palliative radiotherapy: Does age matter?

Introduction: To evaluate whether age is a predictor of pain response after radiotherapy for painful bone metastasis (BM).

Methods: Between June 2010 and June 2014, 204 patients with BM undergoing palliative radiotherapy participated in a multicentre prospective study. Patients completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) to rate the intensity pain (from 0 to 10) at baseline and 4 weeks after radiotherapy.

Preoperative nutritional status assessment predicts postoperative outcomes in patients with surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: As nutritional status plays an important role in outcomes after surgery, this study evaluated the association between preoperative nutritional status (NS) and postoperative outcomes after major resection for lung cancer.

Methods: We identified 219 patients with a diagnosis of cancer who underwent pulmonary resection from 2010 to 2012. Preoperative NS was assessed by anthropometric and biological parameters, body mass index (BMI), and the Nutritional Risk Index (NRI).

Geriatric assessment may help decision-making in elderly patients with inoperable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) increases survival in patients with inoperable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there is no consensus on the treatment of elderly patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and its ability to predict toxicity in this setting.

Methods: We enrolled 85 consecutive elderly (⩾75 years) participants, who underwent CGA and the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13).

Role of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in head and neck oncology: the point of view of the radiation oncologist.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumour of the head and neck. The initial TNM staging, the evaluation of the tumour response during treatment, and the long-term surveillance are crucial moments in the approach to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Thus, at each of these moments, the choice of the best diagnostic tool providing the more precise and larger information is crucial.

Longitudinal Brain Changes Associated with Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation in Lung Cancer.

Introduction: The toxic effects of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) and platinum-based chemotherapy on cognition in the lung cancer population have not yet been well established. In the present study we examined the longitudinal neuropsychological and brain structural changes observed in patients with lung cancer who were undergoing these treatments.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who underwent platinum-based chemotherapy and PCI were compared with two control groups: an age- and education-matched group of healthy controls (n = 21) and a group of patients with non-SCLC (NSCLC, n = 13) who underwent platinum-based chemotherapy.

Incidence of pain flare following palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic bone metastases: multicenter prospective observational study.

Background: Palliative radiotherapy (RT) is an effective treatment for symptomatic bone metastases. Pain flare, a transient worsening of the bone pain after RT, has been described in previous reports with different incidence rates. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the incidence of pain flare following RT for painful bone metastases and evaluate its effects on pain control and functionality of the patients.

Cognitive and brain structural changes in a lung cancer population.

Introduction: No study has examined structural brain changes specifically associated with chemotherapy in a lung cancer population. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess differences in brain structure between small-cell lung cancer patients (C+) following chemotherapy, non-small-cell lung cancer patients (C-) before chemotherapy and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Twenty-eight small-cell lung cancer patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment and a structural magnetic resonance imaging, including T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging to examine gray matter density and white matter (WM) integrity, respectively, 1 month following completion of platinum-based chemotherapy.

A prospective analysis of factors that influence weight loss in patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Malnutrition occurs frequently in patients with cancer. Indeed, a variety of nutritional and tumor-related factors must be taken into account in these patients. Recognizing this relationship, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the risk factors that influence weight loss in patients undergoing radiotherapy with oral nutritional supplementation and dietetic counseling.

The role of re-irradiation of secondary and recurrent head and neck carcinomas. Is it a potentially curative treatment? A practical approach.

Despite aggressive efforts to cure head and neck cancer patients, including altered fractionation and the addition of chemotherapy to radiation, locoregional recurrence remains a serious issue to face in clinical practice. Indeed, recurrent and second primary tumors occurring in previously irradiated area are common clinical challenge. Whenever possible, patients are advised to undergo salvage surgery.

Development and characterization of an isogenic cell line with a radioresistant phenotype.

Introduction: Radiation resistance is a major cause of death in cancer patients. Cancer cells react during radiotherapy by re-programming specific cell functions that may confer resistance to radiation. The understanding of this complex process is hindered due to the lack of appropriate study models.

Interobserver variability in target volume delineation in postoperative radiochemotherapy for gastric cancer. A pilot prospective study.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the interobserver variability (IV) between radiation oncologists (RO) in target volume delineation for postoperative gastric cancer (GC) radiotherapy planning.

Materials And Methods: Four physicians were asked to delimitate clinical target volume (CTV) on the same 3D CT images in 9 postoperative radiochemotherapy GC patients. Instructions were given to include tumour bed, remaining stomach, anastomosis, duodenal loop and local lymph nodes.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for spinal metastases.

The goal of this paper is to expose the clinical results and review of the literature of the treatment of spinal metastases with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) presenting one case. A spinal metastases from rectal cancer treated with a single dose of 18Gy is presented. The following physics aspects are exposed: Treatment volume, tumor volume marginal doses and maximum doses in organs at risk.