Nuclear and Cytoplasmic hTERT, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, and Telomere Elongation Leukocytes Are Independent Factors in the Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment in HER2-Enriched Breast Cancer.

HER2-enriched tumors are responsible for 20% of breast tumors and have high rates of immune infiltrates in the tumor stroma that respond favorably to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the context of tumors, telomeres control cell death and prevent tumor cells from replicating discontinuously, leading to their immortalization. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, hTERT expression, hTERT promoter mutation, and leukocyte telomere length in HER2-enriched breast tumors.

Cannabinoids in glioblastoma multiforme-hype or hope?

Cannabis and its derivatives are being used increasingly by patients with cancer, including patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain malignancy. Despite promising preclinical data suggesting potential anti-cancer effects for cannabinoids in GBM, clinical and safety data are lacking. This editorial will discuss a recent Phase 1b trial of nabiximols oromucosal spray in combination with dose-intense temozolomide in patients with recurrent GBM in the context of other relevant findings in this field.

Real-world assessment of the effect of impact of tumor size on pathological complete response rates in triple negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized rapid tumor growth, and increased metastatic potential compared to other breast cancer subtypes. However, pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can predict patients with a better prognosis. Clinical predictors of pCR such as tumor size (TS) are controversial.

Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Pathological Factors Influencing Outcomes in Locally Advanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Brazilian Cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the association of sociodemographic, clinical, and pathological factors with response and survival in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Methods: Clinical-pathological and sociodemographic data were obtained from medical records of 235 eligible women with TNBC diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 undergoing NACT and surgery at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute. They have been assessed for pathological complete response (pCR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS).

Rethinking cancer clinical trials for COVID-19 and beyond.

The risks posed to patients with cancer by the current COVID-19 pandemic demand rapid structural changes in healthcare delivery, with many positive changes likely to continue long term. An immediate critical reassessment of trial methodology based on clinical and scientific priorities is essential to ensure the resilience of clinical cancer research and optimize patient-centered care.