Evaluation of Multifocality and Multicentricity With Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Each Breast Cancer Subtype.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether diagnostic performance of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of multifocality and multicentricity (MFMC) of breast cancer (BC) can be influenced by different histotypes or immunophenotypes in newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: In this institutional review board-approved retrospective study, 289 patients who underwent both preoperative breast MRI and radical or modified mastectomy in our institution because of primary BCs were selected. Patients were stratified based on the pathologic report in 2 main histotypes and 5 immunophenotypes.

Impact of phosphoinositide-3-kinase and vitamin D3 nuclear receptor single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the outcome of malignant melanoma patients.

Background: Several studies associating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) frequencies with tumors outcome have been conducted, nevertheless malignant melanoma literature data are inconclusive.Therefore we evaluate the impact of different genotypes for phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and vitamin D3 nuclear receptor (VDR) SNPs on melanoma patients' outcome.

Materials And Methods: Genomic DNA of 88 patients was extracted from blood and tumor samples.

Healthcare cost of HER2-positive and negative breast tumors in the United States (2012-2035).

Background: In this study, we estimated the current and future costs related to the use of targeted agents in patients with HER2-positive and negative advanced breast cancer (BC), aimed at identifying the subgroup associated with the higher cost in the coming years.

Methods: We calculated the patient cost considering an ideal patient who received therapeutic sequences including all approved agents for HER2-positive or negative BC. The duration of treatment was estimated by the median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) reported in the phase III trials which have led to the approval of these drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Incidence and risk of cardiotoxicity in cancer patients treated with targeted therapies.

Background: Cardiotoxicityis a serious side effect of molecularly targeted agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and Relative Risk (RR) of developing all-grade and high-grade cardiotoxicity in patients with solid tumors receiving targeted agents through a revised meta-analysis of available clinical trials.

Methods: The scientific literature regarding cardiotoxicity was extensively analyzed using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL).

A germline missense mutation in exon 3 of the MSH2 gene in a Lynch syndrome family: correlation with phenotype and localization assay.

Lynch syndrome is caused by germline mutations in any of the MisMatch Repair (MMR) genes. About 37% of MSH2 variants are missense variants causing single amino-acid substitutions. Whether missense variants affect the normal function of MMR proteins is crucial both to provide affected families a more accurate risk assessment and to offer predictive testing to family members.

Clinical outcome of patients who reduced sunitinib or pazopanib during first-line treatment for advanced kidney cancer.

Objectives: To investigate the different outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who receive a reduced first-line dose of sunitinib or pazopanib compared to those who continue at the standard dose.

Patients And Methods: All the patients treated in 11 oncological centers in Italy for mRCC who started first-line treatment with sunitinib or pazopanib at the standard dose. Descriptive statistical tests were used to highlight differences among groups.

Prognostic impact of the cumulative dose and dose intensity of everolimus in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

The aim of this work is to assess if cumulative dose (CD) and dose intensity (DI) of everolimus may affect survival of advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) patients. One hundred and sixteen patients (62 males and 54 females, median age 55 years) with advanced PNETs were treated with everolimus for ≥3 months. According to a Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, patients were stratified into two groups, with CD ≤ 3000 mg (Group A; n = 68) and CD > 3000 mg (Group B; n = 48).

Off-target effects and clinical outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving regorafenib: The TRIBUTE analysis.

Regorafenib is an orally administered multikinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients with good performance status, albeit less than 50% treated patients achieve disease stabilisation or better at the first radiological evaluation. In addition to that a particularly broad spectrum of toxicities (experienced as G3 or more NCI CTCAE graded by 50% of patients treated) have led to reconsider its widespread use in the majority of patients. We retrospectively collected data about the magnitude of off-target effects experienced during the first 8-weeks of regorafenib monotherapy and analysed their correlation with overall survival, progression free survival and disease control rate.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and molecular response after neoadjuvant therapy for HR+/HER2- breast cancer: results from two prospective trials.

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in predicting molecular response after preoperative endocrine or cytotoxic treatment for HR+/HER2- patients who do not achieve a pathological complete response.

Methods: Stromal (Str) TIL were centrally evaluated on samples from diagnostic core-biopsies of HR+/HER2- patients included in two prospective randomized trials: the LETLOB trial (neoadjuvant endocrine-based treatment) and the GIOB trial (neoadjuvant chemotherapy-based treatment). Pre- and post-treatment Ki67 was centrally assessed.

Can multi-biaxial mesogenic mixtures favour biaxial nematics? A computer simulation study.

Extending the range of existence of biaxial nematic phases is key to their use in applications. Here, we have investigated using extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a coarse-grained model the possible advantages of using mesogenic mixtures. We have studied the phase organisation of five thermotropic mixtures of biaxial Gay-Berne (GB) ellipsoidal particles having the same volume, but different shapes and interactions, with aspect ratios ranging from rod-like to disc-like and, choosing fractional compositions so as to model a Gaussian dispersity of shapes.

Everolimus and exemestane in long survival hormone receptor positive male breast cancer: case report.

Background: Male breast cancer is a rare event, accounting for approximately 1% of all breast carcinomas. Although men with breast cancer had poorer survival when compared with women, data on prognosis principally derive from retrospective studies and from extrapolation of female breast cancer series. We reported the case of a very long survival patient.

Hyponatremia normalization as an independent prognostic factor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with first-line therapy.

The aim of the study was to assess, for the first time, the prognostic role of hyponatremia and sodium normalization in patients receiving first-line chemo- or targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Four hundred thirty-three patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer were treated with first line chemo- or targeted therapy between 2006 and 2015 at our institutions. Patients were stratified in two groups, with or without hyponatremia (group A and B, respectively).

ESMO / ASCO Recommendations for a Global Curriculum in Medical Oncology Edition 2016.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are publishing a new edition of the ESMO/ASCO Global Curriculum (GC) thanks to contribution of 64 ESMO-appointed and 32 ASCO-appointed authors. First published in 2004 and updated in 2010, the GC edition 2016 answers to the need for updated recommendations for the training of physicians in medical oncology by defining the standard to be fulfilled to qualify as medical oncologists. At times of internationalisation of healthcare and increased mobility of patients and physicians, the GC aims to provide state-of-the-art cancer care to all patients wherever they live.

Hormonal receptors in lung adenocarcinoma: expression and difference in outcome by sex.

Background: Lung cancer seems to have different epidemiological, biomolecular and clinical characteristics in females than in males, with a better prognosis for women. The aim of the study is to determine gender differences in lung adenocarcinoma in terms of androgen (AR), estrogen (ER)α and progesterone (PgR) receptors expression and their impact on outcome.

Results: Overall survival was significantly better in ERα and in PgR positive lung adenocarcinoma patients (median survival 45 vs.

The Role of Aspirin as Antitumoral Agent for Heavily Pretreated Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Capecitabine Monotherapy.

Background: The potential clinical impact of aspirin use beyond its canonical indications is a novel matter of scientific debate. In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer failing all available options, regorafenib and TAS 102 represent the only chance of treatment. Although effective, these therapeutic options bring along a not-negligible burden in terms of economic costs and toxicity.

Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts the clinical outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer treated with sunitinib.

Background: In this retrospective analysis, we explored the prognostic and predictive value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), based on lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts, at baseline and changes at week 6 during first-line sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC).

Results: Patients were stratified into high SII (≥ 730) and low SII (< 730) groups. SII was associated with objective response, p < 0.

What Medical Oncologist Residents Think about the Italian Speciality Schools: A Survey of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) on Educational, Clinical and Research Activities.

Background And Objectives: Relevant heterogeneity exists among Postgraduate Schools in Medical Oncology, also within the same country. In order to provide a comprehensive overview of the landscape of Italian Postgraduate Schools in Medical Oncology, the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) undertook an online survey, inviting all the residents to describe their daily activities and to express their overall satisfaction about their programs.

Methods: A team composed of five residents and three consultants in medical oncology prepared a 38 items questionnaire that was published online in a reserved section, accessible through a link sent by e-mail.

Phosphorylated mTOR is associated to androgen receptor expression in early triple-negative breast cancer.

The significance of phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) expression is unknown in triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC). The aims of the present study were to assess the expression of p-mTOR in early TNBC and to evaluate possible correlations between androgen receptor (AR) expression, clinicopathological parameters and disease outcome. Between January 2009 and December 2013, all consecutive patients who were diagnosed and completed the treatment of invasive TNBC at our institution were eligible for this analysis.