Novel Combinations of Immunotherapies or DNA Damage Repair Inhibitors in Platinum-Refractory Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Phase II BALTIC Study.

Purpose: The phase II, multiarm, signal-searching BALTIC study (NCT02937818) assessed novel treatment combinations for platinum-refractory/resistant extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with ES-SCLC with progressive disease during or within 90 days of completing first-line platinum-based chemotherapy received one of three regimens: durvalumab plus tremelimumab followed by durvalumab monotherapy (arm A), adavosertib plus carboplatin (arm B), or ceralasertib plus olaparib (arm C). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate.

[F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in combination with clinical data in predicting overall survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has an established role in evaluating patients with lung cancer. The aim of this work was to assess the predictive capability of [F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) PET/CT parameters on overall survival (OS) in lung cancer patients using an artificial neural network (ANN) in parallel with conventional statistical analysis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 165 lung cancer patients (98M, 67F).

Pembrolizumab-combination therapy for NSCLC- effectiveness and predictive factors in real-world practice.

Introduction: Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy has become the standard of care for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in <50% of tumour cells (TC).

Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of the treatment in real-world practice, paying attention to the predictive factors, with a special focus on low level of PD-L1 expression. This study is a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with stage IV NSCLC.

Influencing Factors on the Quality of Lymph Node Dissection for Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study.

Lymphadenectomy is an essential part of complete surgical operation for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This retrospective, multicenter cohort study aimed to identify factors that influence the lymphadenectomy quality. Data were obtained from the Polish Lung Cancer Study Group Database.

SKYSCRAPER-02: Tiragolumab in Combination With Atezolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Untreated Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: The phase III SKYSCRAPER-02 study determined whether the benefits of atezolizumab plus carboplatin and etoposide (CE) could be enhanced by the addition of tiragolumab in untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). We report final progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) analyses.

Methods: Patients received tiragolumab 600 mg/placebo, plus atezolizumab 1,200 mg and CE (four cycles), then maintenance tiragolumab/placebo plus atezolizumab.

Molecular alterations of driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer: from diagnostics to targeted therapy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death all over the world. The majority (80-85 %) of lung cancer cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Within NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most often recognized.

Treatment Patterns, Testing Practices, and Outcomes in Patients with Mutation-Positive Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Poland: A Descriptive Analysis of National, Multicenter, Real-World Data from the REFLECT Study.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of new cases of lung cancer. Over the past two decades, treatment of patients with NSCLC has evolved from the empiric use of chemotherapy to more advanced targeted therapy dedicated to patients with an epidermal growth factor receptor () mutation. The multinational REFLECT study analyzed treatment patterns, outcomes, and testing practices among patients with -mutated advanced NSCLC receiving first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy across Europe and Israel.

Comparison of Hemodynamic Response between Patients with Systolic Heart Failure Differing in Serum Aldosterone Concentrations during and after a 6-Minute Walk Test.

Aldosterone regulates hemodynamics, including blood pressure (BP), and is involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, including systolic heart failure (HF). While exercise intolerance is typical for HF, neither BP nor heart rate (HR) have specific characteristics in HF patients. This study compares BP and HR profiles during and after standardized exercise between patients with systolic HF with either lower or higher aldosterone concentrations.

NEPTUNE: Phase 3 Study of First-Line Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab in Patients With Metastatic NSCLC.

Introduction: NEPTUNE, a phase 3, open-label study, evaluated first-line durvalumab plus tremelimumab versus chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC).

Methods: Eligible patients with EGFR and ALK wild-type mNSCLC were randomized (1:1) to first-line durvalumab (20 mg/kg every 4 weeks until progression) plus tremelimumab (1 mg/kg every 4 weeks for up to four doses) or standard chemotherapy. Randomization was stratified by tumor programmed death-ligand 1 expression (≥25% versus <25%), tumor histologic type, and smoking history.

The serum concentration of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor is lower in ambulatory and clinically stable patients with more advanced systolic heart failure.

Introduction: Brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is decreased in heart failure (HF), but whether serum BDNF concentration is related to the severity of HF with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50% is uncertain.

Objectives: We aimed to compare cardiac structure and function in ambulatory and clinically stable patients with HF and LVEF below 50% for lower and higher BDNF serum concentrations.

Patients And Methods: A total of 361 ambulatory patients with a compensated HF and LVEF below 50% underwent cardiac evaluation and measurement of serum BDNF and N‑terminal pro-B‑type natriuretic peptide (NT‑proBNP).

Normal Lung Tissue CT Density Changes after Volumetric-Arc Radiotherapy (VMAT) for Lung Cancer.

Radiation-induced lung injury remains a significant toxicity in thoracic radiotherapy. Because a precise diagnosis is difficult and commonly used assessment scales are unclear and subjective, there is a need to establish quantitative and sensitive grading methods. The lung tissue density change expressed in Hounsfield units (HUs) derived from CT scans seems a useful numeric surrogate.

Validation of the Elderly Traumatic Brain Injury Score: Observational Case Control Study.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a particular health risk for the elderly. The recently developed elderly TBI (eTBI) score combines the prognostic information of the risk factors characteristic of the geriatric population. We aimed to determine its validity and reliability on an independent sample.

Serum sCD25 Protein as a Predictor of Lack of Long-Term Benefits from Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is poor. Even though it can improve with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, most patients do not respond to treatment. We hypothesized that the serum soluble form of the unit α of the interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) could be used as a biomarker of successful immunotherapy in NSCLC.

Differences between TNM classification and 2-[F]FDG PET parameters of primary tumor in NSCLC patients.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the TNM classification with 2-[F]FDG PE T biological parameters of primary tumor in patients with NSCLC.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 79 newly diagnosed NSCLC patients. PET scans were acquired on Gemini TF PET/CT scanner 60-70 min after injection of 2-[F]FDG with the mean activity of 364 ± 75 MBq, with the area being examined from the vertex to mid-thigh.

Detection of EGFR mutations in liquid biopsy samples using allele-specific quantitative PCR: A comparative real-world evaluation of two popular diagnostic systems.

Purpose: The detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is an auxiliary tool for the molecular diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially when an adequate tumor tissue specimen cannot be obtained. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of two commonly used in vitro diagnostic-certified allele-specific quantitative PCR assays for detecting plasma cfDNA EGFR mutations.

Methods: We analyzed EGFR mutations in plasma cfDNA from 90 NSCLC patients (stages I-IV) before treatment (n ​= ​60) and after clinical progression on EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (n ​= ​30) using the cobas EGFR mutation test v2 (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

The quality of life after transnasal microsurgical and endoscopic resection of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma.

Background: A pituitary tumor can be reached by a transsphenoidal approach with the use of a microscope or an endoscope. The impact of the surgical technique on the patient's quality of life (QOL) is of great interest to us. Currently, the development of both surgical techniques, especially the endoscopic one, is very rapid.

Effectiveness of osimertinib in patients with lung adenocarcinoma in clinical practice - the Expanded Drug Access Program in Poland.

Introduction: Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in prospective clinical trials.

Material And Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated the outcomes of 32 pretreated patients with EGFR T790M mutation who received osimertinib in clinical practice at seven centers in Poland within the Expanded Drug Access Program. Osimertinib was used in the second line in 59% of patients and in later lines in 41%.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Spinal Canal: Brief Case Report.

We describe a case of an intradural extramedullary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the cervical spine. A 56-year-old woman presented with progressive neck pain, radiating to the right scapula, without any neurologic deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural extramedullary tumor with a dural tail sign, located at the C3-T1 segment with homogeneous contrast enhancement.

PF-06439535 (a Bevacizumab Biosimilar) Compared with Reference Bevacizumab (Avastin), Both Plus Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, as First-Line Treatment for Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

Background: PF-06439535 is a bevacizumab biosimilar. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of PF-06439535 with that of reference bevacizumab (Avastin) sourced from the EU (bevacizumab-EU), each with paclitaxel and carboplatin, in the first-line treatment of advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: In this double-blind, parallel-group study, we recruited patients from 159 centers in 27 countries.

Mortality After Traumatic Brain Injury in Elderly Patients: A New Scoring System.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a life-threatening condition characterized by growing incidence worldwide, particularly in the aging population, in which the primary goal of treatment appears to be avoidance of chronic institutionalization.

Methods: To identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality or vegetative state in a geriatric population and calculate an intuitive scoring system, we screened 480 patients after TBI treated at a single department of neurosurgery over a 2-year period. We analyzed data of 214 consecutive patients aged ≥65 years, including demographics, medical history, cause and time of injury, neurologic state, radiologic reports, and laboratory results.

The expression of circulating miR-504 in plasma is associated with EGFR mutation status in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, are grossly misregulated in some human cancers, including non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The aberrant expression of specific miRNAs results in the abnormal regulation of key components of signalling pathways in tumour cells. MiRNA levels and the activity of the gene targets, including oncogenes and tumour suppressors, produce feedback that changes miRNA expression levels and indicates the cell's genetic activity.

Isoprostanes as potential cerebral vasospasm biomarkers.

Despite enormous progress in medicine, symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS), remains an unexplained clinical problem, which leaves both physicians and patients helpless and relying on chance, due to the lack of specific marker indicative of imminent danger as well as the lack of specific treatment. In our opinion CVS occurrence depends on dynamic disbalance between free radicals' formation (oxidative stress) and antioxidant activity. Isoprostanes are products of free-radical peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and seem to mark a promising path for the research aiming to unravel its possible mechanism.

Discrepancies between ALK protein disruption and occurrence of gene rearrangement in Polish NSCLC patients.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor () mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase () rearrangement are predisposed to molecularly targeted therapies. Proper diagnostic is crucial for quick and correct patients qualification to optimal treatment method. Genetic tests to detect predictive factors could be performed sequentially.