Mass Spectrometry as a Highly Sensitive Method for Specific Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis in NSCLC: A Comparison Study.

Plasma-based tumor mutational profiling is arising as a reliable approach to detect primary and therapy-induced resistance mutations required for accurate treatment decision making. Here, we compared the FDA-approved Cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 with the UltraSEEK™ Lung Panel on the MassARRAY System on detection of mutations, accompanied with preanalytical sample assessment using the novel Liquid IQ Panel. 137 cancer patient-derived cell-free plasma samples were analyzed with the Cobas and UltraSEEK™ tests.

Weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab versus docetaxel as second- or third-line treatment in advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: Results of the IFCT-1103 ULTIMATE study.

Purpose: Second-line chemotherapy regimens have demonstrated poor benefit after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsNSCLC).

Methods: In this multicentre, open-label phase III trial, patients with advanced nsNSCLC treated with one or two prior lines, including one platinum-based doublet, were centrally randomised to receive 90 mg/m of paclitaxel (D1, D8, D15) plus 10 mg/kg of bevacizumab (D1, D15) every 28 days or docetaxel (75 mg/m) every 21 days; crossover was allowed after disease progression. Primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS).

Brainstem involvement as a cause of central sleep apnea: pattern of microstructural cerebral damage in patients with cerebral microangiopathy.

Background: The exact underlying pathomechanism of central sleep apnea with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSA-CSR) is still unclear. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between cerebral white matter changes and CSA. A dysfunction of central respiratory control centers in the brainstem was suggested by some authors.

ISRCTN12125882 - Influence of topical anti-VEGF (Ranibizumab) on the outcome of filtration surgery for glaucoma - Study Protocol.

Background: Excessive wound healing, with scarring of the episcleral tissue or encapsulation of the filtering bleb is the main reason for failure in trabeculectomy. Ranibizumab, an inhibitor of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), is seen as a promising candidate to prevent or treat extensive wound healing. We describe the design of a two phased study, i) assessing the local tolerability and safety of topical ranibizumab and ii) assessing the efficacy of topical ranibizumab against placebo in patients who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C combined with phacoemulsification and intra ocular lens (IOL) implantation.

A pilot study of gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin and vinorelbine in patients with metastatic bladder cancer.

Aim: To assess the safety and to obtain preliminary data on the efficacy of the three-drug combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and vinorelbine in patients with metastatic bladder cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with metastatic or locally unresectable advanced bladder cancer who had received either no or one previous systemic chemotherapy regimen were eligible. All patients received intravenous gemcitabine 700 mg/m(2) and vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) on day 1, then intravenous oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) on day 2, every 14 days.