Agricultural Biotechnological Potential of Bacillus velezensis C3-3 and Cytobacillus sp. T106 from Resource Islands of a Semi-arid Zone of La Guajira-Colombia.

Resource islands are vegetative formations in arid and semi-arid ecosystems that harbor microorganisms facing extreme conditions. However, there is a limitation in the knowledge of the agricultural biotechnological potential of microorganisms present in these islands. This study aimed to determine the capacity of Bacillus velezensis C3-3 and Cytobacillus sp.

The role of angiogenesis inhibitors associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated advanced lung cancer.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor mutant (EGFRm) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Combining TKIs with an angiogenesis inhibitor has shown promise in pre-clinical studies. A systematic search of clinical trials found that combining erlotinib (a first-generation TKI) with bevacizumab or ramucirumab (angiogenesis inhibitors) improved progression-free survival (PFS) in EGFRm advanced NSCLC patients compared to TKI alone.

Perilesional edema diameter associated with brain metastases as a predictive factor of response to radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Different prognostic scales exist in patients with brain metastasis, particularly in lung cancer. The Graded Prognostic Assessment for lung cancer using molecular markers (Lung-molGPA index) for brain metastases is a powerful prognostic tool that effectively identifies patients at different risks. However, these scales do not include perilesional edema diameter (PED) associated with brain metastasis.

Impact of Concurrent Genomic Alterations on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With ALK-Rearranged NSCLC.

Introduction: ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors have exhibited promising activity against advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC. However, co-occurring genetic alterations, such as CDKN2A/B or TP53, may negatively affect the efficacy of targeted therapies.

Methods: From December 2017 to December 2022, this study cohort analyzed next-generation sequencing data of 116 patients with metastatic ALK-rearranged NSCLC from five Latin American cancer centers.

Genomic Landscape of Primary Resistance to Osimertinib Among Hispanic Patients with EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Results of an Observational Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (EGFRm) represent one of the most common genomic alterations identified among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several targeted agents for patients with EGFRm have been proven safe and effective, including the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) osimertinib. Nonetheless, some patients will present with or develop EGFR-TKI resistance mechanisms.

A Novel B7-H6-Targeted IgG-Like T Cell-Engaging Antibody for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors.

Purpose: Advanced-stage gastrointestinal cancers represent a high unmet need requiring new effective therapies. We investigated the antitumor activity of a novel T cell-engaging antibody (B7-H6/CD3 ITE) targeting B7-H6, a tumor-associated antigen that is expressed in gastrointestinal tumors.

Experimental Design: Membrane proteomics and IHC analysis identified B7-H6 as a tumor-associated antigen in gastrointestinal tumor tissues with no to very little expression in normal tissues.

LY6G6D is a selectively expressed colorectal cancer antigen that can be used for targeting a therapeutic T-cell response by a T-cell engager.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and demands more effective treatments. We sought to identify tumor selective CRC antigens and their therapeutic potential for cytotoxic T-cell targeting by transcriptomic and immunohistochemical analysis. LY6G6D was identified as a tumor selectively expressed CRC antigen, mainly in the microsatellite stable (MSS) subtype.

The Armed Conflict and the Impact on Patients With Cancer in Ukraine: Urgent Considerations.

On February 24, 2022, a war began within the Ukrainian borders. At least 3.0 million Ukrainian inhabitants have already fled the country.

Durvalumab After Chemoradiation for Unresectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Inferior Outcomes and Lack of Health Equity in Hispanic Patients Treated With PACIFIC Protocol (LA1-CLICaP).

Objectives: To compare the rate disparity between outcomes (overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety) of concurrent chemoradiation (cCRT) followed by durvalumab in two patient cohorts with locally advanced (LA) stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), one non-Hispanic White (NHW), and the other Latin-American.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed, including 80 Hispanic and 45 NHW LA stage III NSCLC patients treated with cCRT followed by durvalumab. Both cohorts were analyzed in terms of main outcomes (OS, PFS, and safety) and compared between them and with the PACIFIC trial population outcomes.

Mechanisms of Resistance to First-Line Osimertinib in Hispanic Patients With EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (FRESTON-CLICaP).

Introduction: Osimertinib is a third generation EGFR-TKI inhibitor approved in the first-line setting for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, it represents the treatment of choice in patients who present with T790M mutations and evidence of relapse of the disease. Effectiveness and safety of this drug have been studied in multiple clinical trials and observational studies, however, information regarding outcomes among Hispanic patients treated with Osimertinib is scarce.

STK11 and KEAP1 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer patients: Descriptive analysis and prognostic value among Hispanics (STRIKE registry-CLICaP).

Background: Mutations in STK11 (STK11) and, frequently co-occurring, KEAP1 mutations (KEAP1) are associated with poor survival in metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLC) patients treated with immunotherapy. However, there are limited data regarding the prognostic or predictive significance of these genomic alterations among Hispanics.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a cohort of Hispanic patients (N = 103) diagnosed with mNSCLC from the US and seven Latin American countries (LATAM) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) alone or in combination as first-line (Cohort A).

Human papillomavirus infection and lung adenocarcinoma: special benefit is observed in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been associated with the development and modulation of response in a series of neoplasms. In the case of lung adenocarcinoma, its role in etiology and pathogenesis is still controversial. Considering that this infection brings foreign epitopes, it could be of prognostic significance in patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated with immunotherapy.

Uniting Latin America Through Research: How Regional Research Can Strengthen Local Policies, Networking, and Outcomes for Patients With Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer represents a considerable global health threat, leading the list in terms of cancer-related deaths worldwide. An important proportion of lung cancer cases occur within Latin America, and current projections show that over the next decade, the number of deaths due to lung cancer will double in the region, underscoring the need to implement evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes. Several challenges have limited the progress in lung cancer research in Latin America for many years, though recently the surge of multidisciplinary, transnational, and transcultural research groups have overcome many of these limitations.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants for the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism: A Latin American Perspective.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. On the basis of results from randomized controlled trials, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now recommended for the treatment of cancer-associated VTE. The decision to use a DOAC requires consideration of bleeding risk, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, the cost-benefit and convenience of oral therapy, and patient preference.

EGFR Inhibitors Plus Bevacizumab are Superior Than EGFR Inhibitors Alone as First-Line Setting in Advanced NSCLC With EGFR Mutations and BIM Deletion Polymorphisms (BIM-CLICaP).

Purpose: BIM activation is essential for epidermal growth factor receptor ()-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-triggered apoptosis in -mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A deletion in the intron two of the BIM gene results in generation of alternatively spliced isoforms that impairs their apoptotic response to TKIs, conferring the NSCLC cells intrinsic resistance to these medications. Patients with both alterations have poor clinical evolution.

p.G12C KRAS mutation prevalence in non-small cell lung cancer: Contribution from interregional variability and population substructures among Hispanics.

Background: The KRAS exon 2 p. G12C mutation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma has been increasing in relevance due to the development and effectiveness of new treatment medications. Studies around different populations indicate that regional variability between ethnic groups and ancestries could play an essential role in developing this molecular alteration within lung cancer.

Ipatasertib plus abiraterone and prednisolone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (IPATential150): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

Background: The PI3K/AKT and androgen-receptor pathways are dysregulated in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers (mCRPCs); tumours with functional PTEN-loss status have hyperactivated AKT signalling. Dual pathway inhibition with AKT inhibitor ipatasertib plus abiraterone might have greater benefit than abiraterone alone. We aimed to compare ipatasertib plus abiraterone with placebo plus abiraterone in patients with previously untreated mCRPC with or without tumour PTEN loss.

Characteristics and outcomes of thymomas in Latin America: Results from over 10 years of experience (CLICaP-LATimus).

Background: Thymomas are a group of rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment approaches in Latin America.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study including patients with histologically proven thymomas diagnosed between 1997 and 2018.

Comparative thermal ecophysiology in Pristidactylus scapulatus populations from the Puna region of Argentina.

Reptiles are important models for understanding fundamental aspects of physiological ecology and for assessing how environmental change can impact biodiversity. Abiotic factors (micro-environmental temperatures, operative temperatures, thermal quality) may vary geographically along an altitudinal and latitudinal gradient, and therefore the different thermal resources available for thermoregulation also vary. Comparative analyses among populations provide an opportunity to understand how variation in abiotic factors can affect different ecophysiological traits of a species at different geographical points.

Genotyping Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma in Colombia (Geno1.1-CLICaP).

Background: Lung cancer is a public health problem, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent subtype of this neoplasm. Compared to other subtypes, including adenocarcinoma, SCC is less well understood in terms of molecular pathogenesis, limiting therapeutic options among targeted agents approved for other disease subgroups. In this study, we sought to characterize the SCC genomic profile using a validated Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform.

Mentoring as an opportunity to improve research and cancer care in Latin America (AAZPIRE project).

Effective networking and mentoring are critical determinants of professional satisfaction and success in oncology. There are multiple benefits associated with established mentoring programs. However, these are scarce in Latin America (LATAM).

Merkel cell carcinoma in Latin America: a contribution from an expanded access program for avelumab to address issues from experts' recommendations.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignancy, associated with poor outcomes in patients with metastatic disease (mMCC). Management has been dramatically altered as a result of incorporating immune checkpoint blockade agents. MCC data from Latin America (LATAM) come from case-series or individual records.