A randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial of pembrolizumab plus epacadostat versus sunitinib or pazopanib as first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (KEYNOTE-679/ECHO-302).

Background: Immunotherapy-based combinations have emerged as standard therapies for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, combined with epacadostat, an indoleamine 2,3-deoxygenase 1 selective inhibitor, demonstrated promising antitumor activity in a phase 1 study in advanced solid tumors, including mRCC.

Methods: KEYNOTE-679/ECHO-302 was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter, phase 3 study (NCT03260894) that compared pembrolizumab plus epacadostat with sunitinib or pazopanib as first-line treatment for mRCC.

Efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobial therapy in children with cancer, fever, and neutropenia, with a demonstrated viral respiratory infection: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To validate the efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobial therapy in a new cohort of children with cancer and febrile neutropenia (FN) having a demonstrated viral respiratory tract infection.

Methods: Prospective, multicenter, noninferiority, randomized study, approved by the ethical committee, in children presenting with FN at seven hospitals in Chile, evaluated at admission for diagnosis of bacterial and viral pathogens. Children who were positive for a respiratory virus, negative for a bacterial pathogen, and had a favourable evolution after 48-72 hours of antimicrobial therapy were randomized to either maintain or withhold antimicrobial therapy.

High linoleic acid levels in red blood cells predict a poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-positive breast cancer patients.

Objective: Polyunsaturated fatty acids are categorized as ω-3 or ⍵-6. Previous studies demonstrate that breast cancers display a high expression of fatty acid synthase and high fatty acid levels. Our study sought to determine if changes in plasma or red blood cell membrane fatty acid levels were associated with the response to preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy in non-metastatic breast cancer patients.

Palbociclib in advanced stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: real-world data from a Chilean multicentre registry.

Background: The addition of cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors (CDKi) to endocrine therapy (ET) as the first- or second line treatment improves progression-free and overall survival (OS) in hormone receptor-positive, HER2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced stage breast cancer (ABC). Our study compared survival rates and prognostic factors in Chilean patients that used palbociclib as first or subsequent (≥second) lines of treatment in a real-world setting.

Methods: Our retrospective population-cohort study included HR+/HER2- ABC patients.

Outcome of Infants Born to Women with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Local Risk-Based Strategy in a Low Prevalence Country.

Background: Chronic hepatitis-B virus (HBV) infection due to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during the perinatal period is an important global health concern. Chile is a low-prevalence country with an increasing migratory inflow from Latin- American countries, with intermediate to high endemic rates of HBV infection, and until 2021, there is no universal maternal screening. This study aimed to evaluate infant outcomes using a risk-based strategy of maternal screening to prevent MTCT of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a low-prevalence country.

Usefulness of Peripheral Blood Cultures in Children With Cancer and Episodes of Fever and Neutropenia.

Background: The collection of blood cultures (BC) is key for guiding antimicrobial therapy in children with febrile neutropenia (FN), more than 90% have central venous catheters (CVC). There is no consensus on the need for peripheral BC over central BC in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of peripheral BC over central BC in the diagnosis of bloodstream infections in children with FN.

Upper-Limb Disability and the Severity of Lymphedema Reduce the Quality of Life of Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is characterized by arm swelling, pain, and discomfort, reducing the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. BRCL is caused via the blockage or disruption of the lymphatic vessels following cancer treatments, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the affected arm. While current BCRL rehabilitation treatments seek to reduce arm swelling, our study aimed to examine the impact of both the magnitude of lymphedema (ΔVolume) and arm disability on three dimensions of QoL: social, physical, and psychological.

Suboptimal use of ovarian function suppression in very young women with early breast cancer: a real-world data study.

Purpose: The incidence of breast cancer in young women (BCYW) has increased in recent decades. Malignant disease in this subset is characterized by its aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Ovarian function suppression (OFS) in these patients improves survival especially in hormone receptor-positive (HR +) cases.

Access disparities and underutilization of germline genetic testing in Chilean breast cancer patients.

Purpose: Latin American reports on genetic cancer risk assessments are scarce. In Chile, current breast cancer (BC) guidelines do not define strategies for germline genetic testing. Our study sought to quantify the disparities in access to genetic testing in Chilean BC patients, according to international standards and their clinical characteristics to explore improvement strategies.

Body Composition and Metabolic Dysfunction Really Matter for the Achievement of Better Outcomes in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.

Unlabelled: Although obesity-associated metabolic disorders have a negative impact on various cancers, such evidence remains controversial for ovarian cancer. Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of body composition (BC) and metabolism disorders on outcomes in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

Methods: We analyzed clinical/genomic data from two cohorts (PUC n = 123/TCGA-OV n = 415).

Impact of Adjuvant FOLFOX on Quality of Life and Peripheral Neuropathy Incidence in Patients With Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Perioperative and adjuvant chemotherapy have demonstrated clinical benefits in localized gastric cancer. Nevertheless, the reports on their effects on patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are scarce. Here, we prospectively assessed quality of life and the incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in a cohort of patients treated with adjuvant FOLFOX.

Clinical Outcome in Children With Cancer With Two or More Microorganisms Isolated From Blood Cultures During Episodes of Fever and Neutropenia.

Background: Bacterial bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer and episodes of fever and neutropenia (FN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome in children with cancer with 2 or more microorganisms isolated from blood cultures during their episodes of FN.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2021, children presenting with high-risk FN, admitted to any of the 6 participating hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were included in this study if they have positive blood cultures.

[Voriconazole monitorization in pediatric patients, difficulties in dose adjustment].

We present a 10-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), presenting with high-risk febrile neutropenia (HRFN), after a cycle of intensive chemotherapy, evolving with an invasive fungal infection demonstrated by histopathology. Treatment with intravenous voriconazole was started, with erratic plasmatic levels, which require successive dose adjustments which also occurred with oral administration. Finally, he had a favorable response to treatment, despite of the dosing difficulties to reach therapeutic levels.

Validation of an NGS Panel Designed for Detection of Actionable Mutations in Tumors Common in Latin America.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is progressively being used in clinical practice. However, several barriers preclude using this technology for precision oncology in most Latin American countries. To overcome some of these barriers, we have designed a 25-gene panel that contains predictive biomarkers for most current and near-future available therapies in Chile and Latin America.

Oncological resection, myasthenia gravis and staging as prognostic factors in thymic tumours: a Chilean case series.

Background: Thymic epithelial tumours are rare and highly heterogeneous. Reports from the United States suggest an overall incidence of 0.15 per 100,000/year.

Pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but not the addition of carboplatin, is associated with improved survival in Chilean triple negative breast cancer patients: a report of real world data.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death for Chilean women. About 11% of cases are triple-negative (TN) BC. These are characterised by poor prognosis, higher risk of early recurrence and visceral dissemination versus other BC subtypes.

A Molecular Stratification of Chilean Gastric Cancer Patients with Potential Clinical Applicability.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease. In recent decades, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG) defined GC molecular subtypes. Unfortunately, these systems require high-cost and complex techniques and consequently their impact in the clinic has remained limited.

Retrospective Analysis of Chilean and Mexican GI Stromal Tumor Registries: A Tale of Two Latin American Realities.

Purpose: Like other malignancies, GI stromal tumors (GIST) are highly heterogeneous. This not only applies to histologic features and malignant potential, but also to geographic incidence rates. Several studies have reported GIST incidence and prevalence in Europe and North America.

Eribulin-induced radiation recall dermatitis: a case report and brief review of the literature.

Background: Radiation recall (RR) is a fairly uncommon and unpredictable phenomenon caused by an acute inflammatory reaction in a previously irradiated area. Several antineoplastic drugs have been previously associated with RR reactions including anthracyclines and taxanes like docetaxel, paclitaxel or antimetabolites.

Case Presentation: Here we report for the first time a case of a recall reaction to Eribulin mesylate, a novel chemotherapeutic compound that affects microtubule polymerisation, approved for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced breast cancers (BCs).

Multi-Objective Optimization for Personalized Prediction of Venous Thromboembolism in Ovarian Cancer Patients.

Thrombotic events are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity related to cancer, with ovarian cancer having one of the highest incidence rates. The need to prevent these events through the prescription of adequate schemes of antithrombotic prophylaxis has motivated the development of models that aid the identification of patients at higher risk of thrombotic events with lethal consequences. However, antithrombotic prophylaxis increases the risk of bleeding and this risk depends on the class and intensity of the chosen antithrombotic prophylactic scheme, the clinical and personal condition of the patient and the disease characteristics.