Use of Different Anti-PD-1 Checkpoint Combination Strategies for First-Line Advanced NSCLC Treatment-The Experience of Ion Chiricuță Oncology Institute.

Purpose: Different combination modalities between an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agent and a platinum-based chemotherapy or another checkpoint inhibitor (with or without a short course or full course of a platinum doublet) proved superior to chemotherapy alone in multiple clinical trials, but these strategies were not directly compared. The aim of this study is to report the real-world data results with different immunotherapy combinations in a series of patients treated in consecutive cohorts at the Ion Chiricuță Oncology Institute.

Methods: A total of 122 patients were successively enrolled in three cohorts: (1A) nivolumab + ipilimumab (18 patients), (1B) nivolumab + ipilimumab + short-course chemotherapy (33 patients), and (2) pembrolizumab plus full-course chemotherapy (71 patients).

Spleen Preserving, Splenic Vessels Spearing, Pure Laparoscopic Total Duodenopancreatectomy for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Pancreatic Neoplasia (IPMN): Case Report and Technique.

Total duodenopancreatectomy (TDP), performed exclusively by laparoscopic approach is considered one of the most complex abdominal surgical procedures. TDP with preservation of spleen vessels (operation Kimura) is a more technically-demanding procedure, but is beneficial in selected cases. While some high-volume centers have gained experience in minimally-invasive pancreatectomies, laparoscopic approach remains a recommendation for well selected patients with benign or low-grade malignant tumors and should be performed with caution, by experienced HPB surgeons.

The Role of Radio-Frequency and Stereotactic Ablation in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a very aggressive tumor with a low overall survival rate. The prognostic and the treatment of this disease are strongly interconnected and highly dependent on the resectability criteria of the tumor, surgical excision being the golden standard. For local advance disease or for unresectable tumors, with or without metastasis we can take into consideration as adjuvant therapy, together with chemotherapy, the radiofrequency ablation or stereotactic ablation radiotherapy of the solid tumor mass.

Papilledema: A Review of the Pathophysiology, Imaging Findings, and Mimics.

Increased intracranial pressure is the most common cause of papilledema. Multiple etiologies such as cerebral edema, hydrocephalus, space occupying lesions, infection, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension among others should be considered. Imaging plays a critical role in the detection of pathologies that can cause papilledema.

A Detailed Analysis of Infarct Patterns and Volumes at 24-hour Noncontrast CT and Diffusion-weighted MRI in Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Large Vessel Occlusion: Results from the ESCAPE-NA1 Trial.

Background The effect of infarct pattern on functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke is incompletely understood. Purpose To investigate the association of qualitative and quantitative infarct variables at 24-hour follow-up noncontrast CT and diffusion-weighted MRI with 90-day clinical outcome. Materials and Methods The Safety and Efficacy of Nerinetide in Subjects Undergoing Endovascular Thrombectomy for Stroke, or ESCAPE-NA1, randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with large-vessel-occlusion stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy from March 1, 2017, to August 12, 2019.

Predictors of Outcome After Mechanical Thrombectomy in Stroke Patients Aged ≥85 Years.

Background: The effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in elderly stroke patients remains debated. We aimed to describe outcomes and their predictors in a cohort of patients aged ≥ 85 years treated with MT.

Methods: Data from consecutive patients aged ≥ 85 years undergoing MT at two stroke centers between January 2016 and November 2019 were reviewed.

Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Stroke Treatment Delays.

This is an observational cohort study comparing 156 patients evaluated for acute stroke between March 30 and May 31, 2020 at a comprehensive stroke center with 138 patients evaluated during the corresponding time period in 2019. During the pandemic, the proportion of COVID-19 positive patients was low (3%), the time from symptom onset to hospital presentation was significantly longer, and a smaller proportion of patients underwent reperfusion therapy. Among patients directly evaluated at our institution, door-to-needle and door-to-recanalization metrics were significantly longer.

Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke Due to Thrombosed Aneurysm.

We describe a case of a patient who presented with an acute stroke and thrombosed aneurysm of the same vessel. We review the literature on acute stroke management in the setting of an ischemic stroke caused by a thrombosed aneurysm, including intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. We found that it is unclear whether thrombolysis is safe in these cases.

Transvenous Approach for the Treatment of cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations (TATAM): Study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Transvenous embolisation is a promising technique but the benefits remain uncertain. We hypothesised that transvenous embolisation leads to a higher rate of arteriovenous malformation angiographic occlusion than transarterial embolisation.

Methods: The Transvenous Approach for the Treatment of cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations (TATAM) is an investigator initiated, multicentre, prospective, phase 2, randomised controlled clinical trial.

Biomarkers for the early detection of relapses in metastatic colorectal cancers.

Purpose: To assess prognostic/predictive value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), transthyretin (TRT), αenolase (NNE), β2-microglobulin (β2-micro), B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab.

Methods: 72 histologically confirmed mCRC patients treated at Oncology Institute Cluj were included. Biomarker levels were measured through validated methods.

Neuroendocrine tumor of gallbladder with liver and retroperitoneal metastases and a good response to the chemotherapeutical treatment.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder is an uncommon disease. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a mass located in the gallbladder, whose diagnosis was based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The tumor involved the liver and retroperitoneum, and was histopathologically confirmed by liver biopsy as a neuroendocrine tumor grade 3.

5-Fluorouracil potentiates the anti-cancer effect of oxaliplatin on Colo320 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS. The present study was designed to examine the combined effects of Oxaliplatin (OXA) and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in the Colo320 cell line. METHODS.

Selective ex-vivo photothermal ablation of human pancreatic cancer with albumin functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

The process of laser-mediated ablation of cancer cells marked with biofunctionalized carbon nanotubes is frequently called "nanophotothermolysis". We herein present a method of selective nanophotothermolisys of pancreatic cancer (PC) using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with human serum albumin (HSA). With the purpose of testing the therapeutic value of these nanobioconjugates, we have developed an ex-vivo experimental platform.

Enhanced laser thermal ablation for the in vitro treatment of liver cancer by specific delivery of multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized with human serum albumin.

The main goal of this investigation was to develop and test a new method of treatment for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We present a method of carbon nanotube-enhanced laser thermal ablation of HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line) based on a simple multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) carrier system, such as human serum albumin (HSA), and demonstrate its selective therapeutic efficacy compared with normal hepatocyte cells. Both HepG2 cells and hepatocytes were treated with HSA-MWCNTs at various concentrations and at various incubation times and further irradiated using a 2 W, 808 nm laser beam.

Diffuse form of Caroli's disease: therapeutical approach in a female patient with recurrent cholangitis.

A 49-year old female was admitted to the 3rd Surgical Clinic Cluj with clinical signs of cholangitis. She had had these symptoms for 30 years and in 2007 she was diagnosed as suffering from a diffuse form of Caroli's disease. On admission, a biological syndrome of cholestasis was noticed, associated with an inflammatory syndrome and hepatocytolysis.

Synergistic enhancement of cancer therapy using a combination of carbon nanotubes and anti-tumor drug.

Aim: In previous pharmacological applications, single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have primarily been explored as potential drug carriers and delivery vehicles. Here, we investigate and demonstrate for the first time, that CNTs can be considered as anti-tumor agents and, when in combination with conventional drugs, can significantly enhance their chemotherapeutic effects.

Method & Materials: HeLa and human Panc1 cancer cells were treated with CNTs (24 h, 10 and 20 microg/ml), etoposide (6 h, 75 x 10(-6) M) and their combination.

Cytotoxicity and biological effects of functional nanomaterials delivered to various cell lines.

Functional nanomaterials that included gold, silver nanoparticles and single wall carbon nanotubes were delivered to two cell lines (MLO-Y4 osteocytic cells and HeLa cervical cancer cells) in various concentrations. The cells were found to uptake the nanomaterials in a relatively short time, a process that significantly affected the shape and the size of the cells. The percentage of cellular death, due to the delivery of these nanomaterials, was found to be the highest for carbon nanotubes and increased gradually with the concentration of these nanostructures.