Using peripheral immune-inflammatory blood markers in tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: An INVIDIa-2 study sub-analysis.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) have been reported as prognosticators in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and melanoma. This analysis of the INVIDIa-2 study on influenza vaccination in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) assessed NLR and SII on overall survival (OS) by literature-reported (LR), receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)-derived (ROC) cutoffs or as continuous variable (CV). NLR and SII with ROC cutoffs of <3.

Bioimpedentiometry parameters used as indicators of frailty and malnutrition: association between G8 score and Phase angle (PHA) in elderly cancer patients.

Background: Since the incidence of cancer increases with age, in older cancer patients important information may be missed without a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). On the other side, CGA is a time-consuming and complex instrument, so that Geriatric 8 (G8) has been proposed as a more feasible screening tool to identify patients who could benefit from a CGA evaluation. G8 consists of 8 questions (patient age + 7 items derived from the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire).

Impact of influenza vaccination on survival of patients with advanced cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (INVIDIa-2): final results of the multicentre, prospective, observational study.

Background: The prospective multicentre observational INVIDIa-2 study investigated the clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccination in patients with advanced cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In this secondary analysis of the original trial, we aimed to assess the outcomes of patients to immunotherapy based on vaccine administration.

Methods: The original study enrolled patients with advanced solid tumours receiving ICI at 82 Italian Oncology Units from Oct 1, 2019, to Jan 31, 2020.

MRI-Derived Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of Peri-Prostatic Adipose Tissue Is a Potential Determinant of Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness in Preoperative Setting: A Preliminary Report.

Background: The aim of this study was to test the association between periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT)—apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value recorded at multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and determinants of prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness in the preoperative setting. Methods: Data from 219 consecutive patients undergoing prostate biopsy (PBx) for suspicion of PCa, between January 2020 and June 2022, at our institution were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients who had mpMRI performed before PBx were included.

INfluenza Vaccine Indication During therapy with Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a multicenter prospective observational study (INVIDIa-2).

Background: Until now, no robust data supported the efficacy, safety and recommendation for influenza vaccination in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: The prospective multicenter observational INfluenza Vaccine Indication During therapy with Immune checkpoint inhibitors (INVIDIa-2) study investigated the clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccination in patients with advanced cancer receiving ICIs, enrolled in 82 Italian centers from October 2019 to January 2020. The primary endpoint was the time-adjusted incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) until April 30, 2020.

Effectiveness of bevacizumab in first- and second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: ITACa randomized trial.

Background: Cancer trials involving multiple treatment lines substantially increase our understanding of therapeutic strategies. However, even when the primary end-point of these studies is progression-free survival (PFS), their statistical analysis usually focuses on each line separately, or does not consider repeated events, thus missing potentially relevant information. Consequently, the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment strategies is highly impaired.

Prognostic role of a new inflammatory index with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and lactate dehydrogenase (CII: Colon Inflammatory Index) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: results from the randomized Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer (ITACa) study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a new inflammatory index (Colon Inflammatory Index [CII]) as a predictor of prognosis and treatment efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) enrolled in the prospective multicenter randomized ITACa (Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer) trial to receive first-line chemotherapy (CT)+ bevacizumab or CT alone. Between November 14, 2007 and March 6, 2012, 276 patients diagnosed with CRC were available for baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). We divided the population into three groups on basis of the CII index.

Eribulin Mesylate as Third or Subsequent Line Chemotherapy for Elderly Patients with Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Multicentric Observational Study of GIOGer (Italian Group of Geriatric Oncology)-ERIBE.

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is highly prevalent in middle-aged or elderly patients. Eribulin is a nontaxane microtubule inhibitor, approved for the treatment of pretreated MBC. This multicentric study (sponsored by GIOGer, Italian Group for Geriatric Oncology) was designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of eribulin, according to parameters usually used in geriatric oncology.

Impact of Pre-Treatment Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels on Prognosis and Bevacizumab Efficacy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Background: To investigate the impact of pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels on the outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with first-line chemotherapy with or without the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, in a phase III prospective multicentre randomized ITACa (Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer) trial.

Methods: Three hundred and seventy patients enrolled onto the ITACa first-line trial were considered for this study, 176 receiving chemotherapy (either FOLFIRI or FOLFOX) plus bevacizumab and 194 receiving chemotherapy only. Pre-treatment LDH levels were evaluated to identify a potential correlation with progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and objective response rate.

Systemic treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in elderly patients.

Purpose: Gastrointestinal cancer (GI) incidence increases with each decade of life and is the leading cause of death in patients aged >70 years. Nevertheless, elderly patients are often excluded or underrepresented in clinical trials. We performed a review of current recommendations in the management of GI elderly cancer patients.

Effectiveness and safety of an induction therapy with epoetin alfa in anemic cancer patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy.

Background: Epoetin alfa, administered at standard dosages of 10,000-20,000 IU three times weekly or 40,000-60,000 IU once weekly, has been shown to significantly increase hemoglobin (Hb) levels, decrease transfusion requirements, and improve quality-of-life parameters in patients undergoing chemotherapy.Objective. This open-label, nonrandomized, historically controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an induction dose of epoetin alfa in patients with moderate or severe anemia who were receiving chemotherapy.

The importance of prophylactic management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

The development of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) has provided clinicians with a valuable tool for proactive management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. However, clinicians are also presented with the challenge of appropriately targeting this treatment to patients at serious risk of neutropenic complications, while maintaining an economic approach to prescribing. This article discusses the seriousness of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and reviews current approaches to the management of this condition.

Hepatic arterial continuous infusion (HACI) of oxaliplatin in patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background: Oxaliplatin, a new DACH-platinum compound, has provided high response rates both in untreated and 5-FU-resistant patients.

Aim: To define the feasibility and toxicity profile of Oxaliplatin administered as a continuous hepatic aterial infusion.

Patients And Methods: Seventeen patients with pretreated metastatic liver colorectal cancer were treated with Oxaliplatin 20 mg/m2/day by HACI x 5 days every 3 weeks.