Exploring the impact of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation type and location on Olaparib maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian Cancer patients: A single center report.

Objective: In patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC) harboring pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV) in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, olaparib maintenance monotherapy (OMT) is a viable option. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of different BRCA1/2 PV in survival outcomes and safety of OMT in BRCA1/2-mutated PSROC patients, focusing on the type and location of PV.

Methods: We assessed the outcomes of 100 BRCA1/2-mutated PSROC patients treated at our institute, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Prospective Observational Study of COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Thoracic Malignancies: Adverse Events, Breakthrough Infections and Survival Outcomes.

Due to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, a preventive tool in the form of vaccination was introduced. Thoracic cancer patients had one of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 disease, but the lack of data about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in this population triggered studies like ours to explore these parameters in a cancer population. Out of 98 patients with thoracic malignancies vaccinated per protocol, 60-75% experienced some adverse events (AE) after their first or second vaccination, most of them were mild and did not interfere with their daily activities.

The prognostic significance of tumor-immune microenvironment in ascites of patients with high-grade serous carcinoma.

Background: High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is often associated with ascites at presentation. Our objective was to quantify immune cells (ICs) in ascites prior to any treatment was given and evaluate their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and ascites were included.

Morphological and Immunocytochemical Characterization of Tumor Spheroids in Ascites from High-Grade Serous Carcinoma.

Tumor spheroids in the ascites of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) are poorly described. Our objective was to describe their morphological features, cellular composition, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression, and survival correlation of these parameters. The density and size of spheroids were assessed in Giemsa-stained smears; the cell composition of spheroids, including tumor cells, immune cells, capillaries, and myofibroblasts, as well as PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on tumor and immune cells was assessed in immunocytochemically stained cell block sections.

Clinical Significance of the TK1-Specific Activity in the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer.

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in women. One of the major concerns is almost two-thirds of cases are typically diagnosed in the late stage as the symptoms are unspecific in the early stage of ovarian cancer. It is known that the combination of TK1 protein with CA 125 or HE4 showed better performance than either of them alone.

A Three-Dose mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Regime Produces Both Suitable Immunogenicity and Satisfactory Efficacy in Patients with Solid Cancers.

Background: The recommended booster third dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in cancer patients seems reasonable to protect them against a severe disease course. A prospective study was designed to assess the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of COVID-19 vaccination in this cohort.

Methods: Patients with solid malignancies on active treatment were followed up after the primary course and booster third dose of vaccination to assess their anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG levels, efficacy in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and safety.

A Population-Based Study of Patients With Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type, Encompassing a 30-Year Period.

Context.—: Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and lethal tumor, characterized by hypercalcemia and early onset and associated with germline and somatic SMARCA4 variants.

Objective.

A Dual Biomarker TK1 Protein and CA125 or HE4-Based Algorithm as a Better Diagnostic Tool than ROMA Index in Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer.

Background: The early detection of ovarian cancer is presently not effective, and it is crucial to establish biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer to improve the survival of patients.

Materials And Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in combination with CA 125 or HE4 to serve as a potential diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer. In this study, a set of 198 serum samples consisting of 134 ovarian tumor patients and 64 healthy age-matched controls were analyzed.

Cytopathological assessment is an accurate method for identifying immunophenotypic features and BRCA1/2 mutations of high-grade serous carcinoma from ascites.

Background: High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common and aggressive type of ovarian cancer, and it is often associated with ascites at presentation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of cytopathology to identify immunophenotypic features of HGSC and BRCA1/2 mutations from ascites.

Methods: The study included 45 patients with histologically confirmed primary HGSC and malignant ascites.

Solid cancer patients achieve adequate immunogenicity and low rate of severe adverse events after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients is crucial to prevent severe COVID-19 disease course. This study assessed immunogenicity of cancer patients on active treatment receiving mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG antibodies in serum, before, after the first and second doses and 3 months after a complete primary course of vaccination. Results were compared with healthy controls.

Real-World Data on Detection of Germline and Somatic Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic Variants in and Other Susceptibility Genes in Ovarian Cancer Patients Using Next Generation Sequencing.

Detection of germline and somatic pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) in BRCA genes is at the moment a prerequisite for use of PARP inhibitors in different treatment settings of different tumors. The aim of our study was to determine the most appropriate testing workflow in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients using germline and tumor genotyping of BRCA and other hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer (HBOC) susceptibility genes. Consecutive patients with advanced non-mucinous EOC, who responded to platinum-based chemotherapy, were included in the study.

Overview of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Gynecological Cancer Treatment.

In the last ten years, clinical oncology has been revolutionized by the introduction of oncological immunotherapy, mainly in the form of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that transformed the standard of care of several advanced solid malignancies. Using ICIs for advanced gynecological cancers has yielded good results, especially for endometrial cancer. In ovarian or cervical cancer, combining ICIs with other established agents has shown some promise.

An interesting case of likely related bilateral breast cancer with metastasis in the fimbrial part of fallopian tube.

Background: In a patient with a germline pathogenic variant with breast cancer, an adnexal mass can represent either a metachronous primary tumor or a metastasis of the breast cancer. A clear distinction between those two possibilities is crucial since treatments differ substantially and so does survival of the patient.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 47-year-old patient with bilateral breast carcinoma with a germline pathogenic variant.

Cytology material is equivalent to tumor tissue in determining mutations of BRCA 1/2 genes in patients with tubo-ovarian high grade serous carcinoma.

Background: High-grade serous ovarian cancer is a detrimental disease. Treatment options in patients with a recurrent disease are dependent on BRCA1/2 mutation status since only patients with known BRCA mutation are eligible for treatment with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). The aim of this study was to compare concordance of BRCA mutation analyses from cytological samples (CS) with BRCA mutation analyses from histological formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples.

Potential of osteopontin in the management of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background Osteopontin (sOPN) is a promising blood tumour marker for detecting epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, other clinical uses of sOPN as a tumour marker in EOC are still lacking. Since sOPN concentrations in serum are not associated with those in ascites, we compared clinical value of sOPN concentrations in the two body fluids.

Primary debulking surgery versus primary neoadjuvant chemotherapy for high grade advanced stage ovarian cancer: comparison of survivals.

Background The aim of the study was to analyze the overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of patients with high grade and advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with at least 60 months of follow-up treated in a single gynecologic oncology institute. We compared primary debulking surgery (PDS) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery (NACT + IDS) stratifying data based on residual disease with the intent to identify the rationale for therapeutic option decision and the role of laparoscopic evaluation of resectability for that intention. Patients and methods This is observational retrospective study on consecutive patients with diagnosis of high grade and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV EOC referred to our center between January 2008 and May 2012.

Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma.

Background: The aim of the study was to establish whether there are different clinical entities of primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma (PPC) that deserve different diagnostic approach and the most optimal treatment.

Patients And Methods: A systematic review with PubMed search was conducted to identify studies that reported cases of PPC. The eligibility criteria were histological diagnosis of pulmonary choriocarcinoma and thorough examination of the reproductive organs to exclude potential primary choriocarcinoma in the gonads.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced (stage IIIC) epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: Primary treatment of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer consists of chemotherapy either before (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, NACT) or after primary surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy). The goal of primary treatment is no residual disease after surgery (R0 resection) what is associated with an improvement in survival of patients. There is, however, no evidence of survival benefits in patients with R0 resections after prior NACT.

Randomized prospective phase II study to compare the combination chemotherapy regimen epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil with epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the epirubicin, cisplatin, and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (ECF) regimen with that of the epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) regimen in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either the ECF or ECX regimen. The primary end point was the response rate.

Mammographycally occult high grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) as second primary breast cancer, detected with MRI: a case report.

Background: Contralateral breast cancer (CLB) is the most common second primary breast cancer in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The majority of patients harbouring CLB tumours develop the invasive disease. Almost all invasive carcinomas are believed to begin as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions.

Capecitabine plus Irinotecan (XELIRI regimen) compared to 5-FU/LV plus Irinotecan (FOLFIRI regimen) as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with unresectable liver-only metastases of metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomised prospective phase II trial.

Background: Phase II studies have shown that the combination of capecitabine and irinotecan (the XELIRI regimen) is active in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). There are, however, no data about the use of the XELIRI regimen in the neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods: Patients with unresectable liver-only metastases of MCRC with < or = 75 years of age were randomised to either the XELIRI (irinotecan 250 mg/m(2) given on day one and capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) twice daily from day 2-15, every 21 days) or the FOLFIRI arm (irinotecan 180 mg/m(2), 5-FU 400 mg/m(2), LV 200 mg/m(2), 5-FU 2400 mg/m(2) (46-h infusion)--all given on day one, every 14 days).

Sex difference in the effect of ACE-DD genotype on the risk of premature myocardial infarction.

In this association study the authors compared the insertion/deletion (I/D) angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism in females and males with premature myocardial infarction (MI). I/D ACE gene polymorphism was tested in 738 subjects: 302 patients with MI (151 men and 151 women) and 436 healthy subjects (207 men and 229 women). In women the ACE-DD genotype was not associated with MI (OR 1.