Survival analysis of the non-metastatic cohort of the Italian Association for Medical Oncology (AIOM) Guideline Application in Real world: multi-Institutional Based survey of Adjuvant and first-Line pancreatic Ductal adenocarcinoma treatment in Italy (GARIBALDI).

Background: Non-metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a challenging scenario: the rarity of the disease, the limited number of completed prospective trials, and the shortcomings of comparability across series produce several controversial topics and unanswered questions. Guideline recommendations usually include all the different therapeutic options, de facto transferring to the multidisciplinary team the responsibility on the final decision. This secondary analysis of the GARIBALDI study was aimed to explore the correlation of center type, self-declared volume, and commitment with the overall survival (OS) in patients with non-metastatic PDAC.

Survival analysis of the metastatic cohort of Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) GARIBALDI survey.

This analysis from the GARIBALDI study was aimed to address the role of center self-declared expertise, type and commitment on the overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Treatment-naïve patients ≥18-year with pathological diagnosis of mPDAC were enrolled. OS was defined as the time from chemotherapy start to death from any cause.

Communication in oncology between healthcare providers, patients, the scientific community, and the media: recommendations from the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).

Aim: To identify barriers between health and communication in oncology in order to promote the best possible practice. The areas of communication to be focused on are communication directly with the patient, communication within the scientific community, and communication with the media.

Material And Methods: A working group including eminent experts from the national mass media, healthcare system, and patients' advocacy has been established on behalf of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), with the aim of developing suitable recommendations for the best communication in oncology.

Can contralateral prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy increase survival in BRCA-related breast cancer? Results from the Italian MUTina study.

Introduction: In the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, a unique Hub and Spoke model was adopted to recognize BRCA-related breast cancer (BC) patients. Characteristics and outcomes of tumors identified by this model will be presented.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study involved patients diagnosed with BRCA-related BC identified in the Emilia-Romagna region between January 2000 and December 2013.

Psychometric properties of patient-reported outcomes Common Terminology Criteria for adverse events (PRO-CTCAE®) in breast cancer patients: The prospective observational multicenter VIP study.

Patients' self-reporting is increasingly considered essential to measure quality-of-life and treatment-related side-effects. However, if multiple patient-reported instruments are used, redundancy may represent an overload for patients. Patient-Reported Outcomes Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) are a tool allowing direct patients' reporting of side-effects.

Corrigendum to "Comparison of baseline patient characteristics in Italian oncology drug monitoring registries and clinical trials: a real-world cross-sectional study" [The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 41 (2024) 100912].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.

Corrigendum to "Comparison of baseline patient characteristics in Italian oncology drug monitoring registries and clinical trials: a real-world cross-sectional study" [The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 41 (2024) 100912].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.

Autoimmune Encephalitis following Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in a Patient with Metastatic Melanoma in Complete Remission.

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer is increasing. Their side effects are mainly due to the triggering of autoimmunity, which are mild or moderate and include skin rash, colitis, hepatitis, endocrine disorders, myositis, interstitial lung disorder, etc., in most cases during the course of therapy.

Comparison of baseline patient characteristics in Italian oncology drug monitoring registries and clinical trials: a real-world cross-sectional study.

Background: Generalizability of registrative clinical trials to real-world clinical practice is influenced by comparability of patients in the two settings. We compared characteristics of cancer patients in registrative trials with real-world clinical practice in Italy.

Methods: Data on age, sex and performance status (PS) were derived from web-based monitoring registries developed by Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) and corresponding registrative trials reported in the European Public Assessment Reports (EPAR) of European Medicines Agency (EMA).

FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine Plus Nab-paclitaxel as First Line Treatment in Pancreatic Cancer: A Real-World Comparison.

Background/aim: Advanced pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate <5%; thus, treatment of patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic disease is challenging. Current guidelines recommend either gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) or FOLFIRINOX (FOL) as first-line treatment. Data on both efficacy and toxicity of FOL versus GnP in metastatic cancer are limited.

Treatment of bone metastases from solid tumors with bone-modifying agents: a web survey of Italian oncologists investigating patterns of practice drug prescription and prevention of side effects.

Purpose: Optimal use of bone-modifying agents (BMAs) in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors is uncertain in some aspects: the drug choice; the planned treatment duration and long-term therapy; the prevention and management of possible side effects, including renal toxicity, hypocalcaemia, and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

Methods: Italian oncologists were invited to fulfil a 24-question web survey about prescription of BMAs for bone metastases of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other solid tumors. Prevention and management of side effects were also investigated.

Reducing the burden of travel and environmental impact through decentralization of cancer care.

Life expectancy, quality of life and satisfaction of oncologic patients highly depend on access to adequate specialized services, that consider their conditions in a holistic way. The present study aims to evaluate the introduction of oncology services in an outpatient setting in a mountain village in Northern Italy. The initiative is evaluated using the three pillars of sustainability (social, economic and environmental) as dimensions that are often overlooked by healthcare policy makers.

Humoral Response and Safety after a Fourth Dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine in Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Treatment-Results of a Prospective Observational Study.

Only a few studies have been carried out on the efficacy and safety of a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with cancer. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to assess the serological response and safety of the fourth booster shot of the BNT162b2 vaccine in 79 cancer patients, vaccinated between 1 March and 25 August 2022, under systemic anticancer therapy. The primary endpoint was to assess the increase in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; secondary endpoints were the vaccine safety and side effects.

Cancer Treatment Closer to the Patient Reduces Travel Burden, Time Toxicity, and Improves Patient Satisfaction, Results of 546 Consecutive Patients in a Northern Italian District.

: The distance to cancer facilities may cause disparities by creating barriers to oncologic diagnosis and treatment, and travel burden may cause time and financial toxicity. : To relieve travel burden, a program to deliver oncologic treatment closer to the patient was initiated in the district of Piacenza (Northern Italy) several years ago. The oncologic activities are performed by oncologists and by nurses who travel from the oncologic ward of the city hospital to territorial centres to provide cancer patient management.

Final results of the real-life observational VICTOR-6 study on metronomic chemotherapy in elderly metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients.

Nowadays, treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has been enriched with novel therapeutical strategies. Metronomic chemotherapy (mCHT) is a continuous and frequent administration of chemotherapy at a lower dose and so whit less toxicity. Thus, this strategy could be attractive for elderly MBC patients.

Prognostic Impact of Ras Mutation on Surgical Strategy in Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Treatment.

Background/aim: Complete clinical response in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is challenging. Indeed, indication to surgery vs. "watch and wait" is a debate due the poor predictive value of restaging exams in order to identify a pathological complete response (pCR).

Implementation of Precision Oncology in Clinical Practice: Results of a National Survey for Health Care Professionals.

Background: Two main aspects lead the implementation of precision oncology into clinical practice: the adoption of extended genome sequencing technologies and the institution of the Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs). CIPOMO (Italian Association of Heads of Oncology Department) promoted a national survey across top health care professionals to gain an understanding of the current state of precision oncology in Italy.

Methods: Nineteen questions were sent via the SurveyMonkey platform to 169 heads of oncology departments.

Brief Report: Canadian Cancer Trials Group IND.227: A Phase 2 Randomized Study of Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT02784171).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have activity in mesothelioma. IND.227 was a phase 2 trial (120 patients planned) comparing progression-free survival of standard platinum and pemetrexed (CP) versus CP + pembrolizumab (pembro) versus pembro.

Guideline Application in Real world: multi-Institutional Based survey of Adjuvant and first-Line pancreatic Ductal adenocarcinoma treatment in Italy. Primary analysis of the GARIBALDI survey.

Background: Information about the adherence to scientific societies guidelines in the 'real-world' therapeutic management of oncological patients are lacking. This multicenter, prospective survey was aimed to improve the knowledge relative to 2017-2018 recommendations of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).

Patients And Methods: Treatment-naive adult patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were enrolled.

Exploratory analysis of the effect of a dexamethasone-sparing regimen for prophylaxis of cisplatin-induced emesis on food intake (LUNG-NEPA study).

We demonstrated the non-inferiority of a dexamethasone (DEX)-sparing (single-dose) regimen with NEPA, a netupitant/palonosetron fixed combination, for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) caused by cisplatin. This pre-planned exploratory analysis assessed the effect of the DEX-sparing regimen on a patient's food intake. Chemotherapy-naïve patients undergoing cisplatin (≥ 70 mg/m) were given NEPA and DEX (12 mg) on day 1 and randomized to receive either no further DEX (DEX1), or oral DEX (4 mg BID) on days 2-4 (DEX4).