Cell-free circulating RAS mutation concentrations significantly impact the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: RAS mutations are predictors of an adverse outcome in EGFR-targeted therapies and have been proposed as prognostic biomarkers of survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The analysis of circulating tumor DNA from plasma samples, known as liquid biopsies, has indicated that the RAS mutation status may change over time, potentially affecting patients' prognosis. To further evaluate the clinical validity of RAS mutation retesting using liquid biopsies, we prospectively investigated the impact of the circulating quantitative RAS mutation status on the course of mCRC.

Circulating syndecan-1 and glypican-4 predict 12-month survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Cell surface syndecans and glypicans play important roles in the development and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Their soluble forms from proteoglycan shedding can be detected in blood and have been proposed as new prognostic biomarkers in several cancer entities. However, studies on circulating syndecan-1 (SDC1) and glypican-4 (GPC4) in CRC are limited.

Clonal Evolution in Patients with Hormone Receptor Positive, HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy or CDK4/6 Inhibitors.

Introduction: Somatic evolution of the cancer genome resulting in genetically different subclones is thought to be involved in the development of treatment resistance but might also offer new therapeutic opportunities in metastatic breast cancer. No data are available if clonal evolution differs in patients treated with chemotherapy (chemo) or CDK4/6 inhibitors given with endocrine treatment (CE treatment).

Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by targeted next-generation sequencing in 46 patients before the beginning of a systemic first-line (n = 37) or second-line (n = 9) treatment.

Elective Discontinuation of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Patients with Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive, Her-2-Negative Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Cyclin-dependent 4/6 kinase (CDK4/6) inhibitors given with endocrine therapy until disease progression are standard of care in the treatment of women with advanced HR-positive Her-2-negative breast cancer. No data are available if therapy can be safely de-escalated to endocrine monotherapy in patients with long-lasting disease control.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on the clinical course of 22 patients at our center who received CDK4/6 inhibitors with aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant.

Significant impact of circulating tumour DNA mutations on survival in metastatic breast cancer patients.

Mutational analysis of circulating tumour (ct) DNA holds promise as an effective tool to predict the course of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In the present study we used targeted next generation sequencing of ctDNA to evaluate the impact of cancer driven mutations on the prognosis of MBC. The study included 59 oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+), HER2-negative MBC patients.