Locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in Lebanon: focus on ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Treatment of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) has evolved over the last decade. According to studies, the use of targeted therapies has significantly increased the life expectancy of patients. Moreover, ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) have improved clinical outcomes.

Genetic markers of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a retrospective study of 312 patients from a reference center in Lebanon.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a highly heterogenous hemopathy. Genetic stratification of CLL patients has important prognostic and therapeutic values - mainly immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene () mutational status and the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities. The genetics of CLL in Lebanon is scarcely described in the literature.

Statins, commonly coprescribed drugs, and concomitant risk factors: A protective, neutral, or harmful association with common cancer types development: A 10-year multicentric retrospective lebanese study.

Elevated blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are a major cardiovascular risk factor, and cholesterol-lowering drugs are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide. Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between cancer development and statins intake is controversial, and there are no clear studies in Lebanon and the Middle East concerning this topic.

The association between angiotensin receptor blockers and lung, bladder, and colon cancer development: A 10-year multicentric retrospective Lebanese study.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally, followed by cancer. Angiotensin II contributes greatly to CVD pathogenesis, and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) constitute a mainstay in hypertension and CVD management. However, the relationship between ARBs and cancer initiation is controversial, with no clear data in Lebanon.

Consensus on the management of platinum-sensitive high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer in Lebanon.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. The high grade serous epithelial (HGSE) subtype is the most aggressive and it often presents at advanced stages, while screening programs have not proven beneficial. Management of the advanced stages (FIGO III and IV), which constitute the majority of diagnoses, usually consists of platinum-based chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery (primary or interval) followed by maintenance therapy.

Frequency and mutational spectrum of PIK3CA gene mutations in breast cancer patients: Largest and first report from Lebanon.

The PIK3CA pathway is one of the most frequently altered pathways in human cancers, especially in breast cancer with approximately 40% of HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer cases exhibiting mutations in the PIK3CA gene. While the mutations can occur across the entire gene, the most common are observed in exon 9 corresponding to the helical domain, and in exon 20 encompassing the kinase domain. This study constitutes the first attempt at determining the frequency and mutational spectrum in Lebanese breast cancer patients.

Diagnosis and management of patients with stage III non‑small cell lung cancer: A joint statement by the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology and the Lebanese Pulmonary Society (Review).

Proper management of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) might result in a cure or patient long-term survival. Management should therefore be preceded by adequate and accurate diagnosis and staging, which will inform therapeutic decisions. A panel of oncologists, surgeons and pulmonologists in Lebanon convened to establish a set of recommendations to guide and unify clinical practice, in alignment with international standards of care.

Prevalence of Her2-neu status and its clinicopathological association in newly diagnosed gastric cancer patients.

Background: This study aimed to report the prevalence of HER2-neu in newly diagnosed early or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) patients, to determine the percentage of patients achieving various IHC scores correlating with the ISH results and to establish a database for GC patients in Lebanon.

Methods: This was a national, multicenter, descriptive and cross-sectional study in patients with histologically confirmed early or metastatic GC newly diagnosed. All eligible patients underwent the IHC and ISH tests in a central laboratory.

A Non-Interventional Multicenter Study of First-Line Bevacizumab in Combination with Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Lebanon.

Purpose: When combined with chemotherapy, bevacizumab improves progression-free survival (PFS) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This observational trial was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab plus first-line chemotherapy in a real-world setting in Lebanon.

Patients And Methods: A non-interventionaL multicenter study of first-LIne AVastin (bevacizumab) in combination with chEmotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (LLIVE) is a multicenter, prospective, Lebanon-based, observational study that enrolled mCRC patients who received first-line bevacizumab plus chemotherapy combination.

Impact of ABO and Rhesus blood groups on COVID-19 susceptibility and severity: A case-control study.

Early evidence from China suggested that blood groups may be involved in susceptibility to COVID-19. Several subsequent studies reported controversial results. We conducted a retrospective matched case-control study that aims to investigate the association between blood groups and the risk and/or severity of COVID-19.

Non Hodgkin lymphoma in Lebanon: a retrospective epidemiological study between 1984 and 2019.

Background: Lymphomas are ranked as the fifth most common cancer in Lebanon. There is concern about the need of information regarding the prevalence of lymphoid neoplasm particularly Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes in the Lebanese population. This study intended to establish a descriptive status of NHL histological subtypes distribution in Lebanon thus identifying the most common types, knowing that the literature is poor regarding the distribution of lymphoid malignancies particularly NHLs in Lebanon.

Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with cancer: a single-institution survey.

This paper reports the results of a survey assessing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with cancer. In total, 111 adult patients with cancer from a single institution were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge about the vaccine, their readiness to be vaccinated and the determinants of their decision. 61.

Lebanese Real-World Experience in Treating Multiple Myeloma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: The present retrospective multicenter study aims at documenting characteristics of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the effect of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) on survival.

Methods: A total of 134 adult patients initiating any new MM therapy from January 2002 till December 2019 were included. Enrollment was stratified by disease subtype, induction protocol and transplant status.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a new cause of death during 'post-acute COVID-19 syndrome?' A case report.

'Post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome' is a new term that was coined to describe a constellation of persistent symptoms and new complications following recovery from COVID-19 initial illness. Identifying post-COVID-19 complications is crucial for early diagnosis and subsequent initiation of therapies to ensure more favorable outcomes. Severe COVID-19-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been previously described during the acute phase of the infection.

Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Oncotype DX for Guiding Adjuvant Chemotherapy Decisions in Early Breast Cancer.

Introduction: Oncotype DX is approved in multiple countries but its cost-effectiveness is a matter of considerable health debate. Lebanon is high-middle income country according to the World Bank classification however it is facing a mounting financial and health care burden from cancer. Therefore, we conducted a costeffectiveness analysis of Oncotype DX based Lebanese on real-life data.

Assessment of Lebanese healthcare professionals' awareness on acquired haemophilia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare immune-mediated disorder characterised by the development of autoantibodies against factor VIII. Morbidity and mortality are in general high due to multiple factors including the age of the patient, underlying diseases, toxic effects of available treatments and bleeding itself.

Objective: To assess the awareness about AHA among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Lebanon where patients can present to non-haematologists with life-threatening bleeding disorders.

Cancer Patients in the Era of Coronavirus: What to Fear Most?

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic led to a worldwide medical crisis, affecting mostly immunocompromised patients, such as cancer patients. Various cancer societies have issued recommendations regarding patients care, but few studies addressed the perception of cancer patients regarding this pandemic.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the perception of cancer patients regarding their health risks during this pandemic and the preventive measures taken.

Bellini Duct Carcinoma Misdiagnosed with Urothelial Papillary Carcinoma.

Background: Collecting (Bellini) duct carcinoma (CDC) or Bellini duct carcinoma (BDC) is a rare subtype of kidney tumors, accounting for less than 3% and known to have the worst prognosis. It is known to have multiple clinical presentations; this is why it can be easily misdiagnosed. The aim of this article is to present a case of CDC that was initially misdiagnosed with urothelial papillary carcinoma (UPC) in a 41-year-old male.

OSSMAR: An Observational Study to Describe the Use of Sunitinib in Real-Life Practice for the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Sunitinib offers improved efficacy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). To provide better disease management in the Middle East, we studied its use in mRCC in real-life practice in this region.

Material And Methods: Patients diagnosed with mRCC and started on sunitinib between 2006 and 2016 from 10 centers in Africa and the Middle East region were studied in this regional, multicenter, observational, retrospective trial to obtain routine clinical practice data on the usage patterns and outcomes of sunitinib in mRCC in real-life practice.

Total Parenteral Nutrition in Middle Eastern Cancer Patients at End of Life: Is it Justified?

Purpose: The use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in terminally ill cancer patients is considered an aggressive approach with very limited benefits. We examined the practice of TPN in our end of life cancer patients and we investigated the patient and tumor characteristics that justify this practice. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing TPN administration of Middle Eastern patients with advanced cancer.

Negativation of PD-L1 Postoperatively in Initially Inoperable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Pembrolizumab: Two Case Reports.

Stage III non-small cell lung cancer is a border line stage between localized and metastatic disease. PDL-1 is gaining an important role in the therapeutic arsenal of lung cancer, the most frequent cancer worldwide. We report for the first time a negativation of PDL-1 status in 2 cases of stage IIIA NSCLC with conversion to operable disease after using immunotherapy.

Treatment According to a Comprehensive Molecular Profiling Can Lead to a Better Outcome in Heavily Pretreated Patients With Metastatic Cancer: Data of a Pooled Analysis.

Purpose: Improvements in systemic treatment have led to a prolongation of survival and quality of life in patients with metastatic tumors in recent years. However, despite this improved standard of care, it is expected that the progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with refractory cancers will continue to decline over subsequent therapy lines. In those patients, studies and meta-analyses showed that treatment based on multiplatform molecular profiling (MMP) of tumor tissue may derive a clinical benefit.

Second-line Treatments of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. First-line therapy is either sorafenib or lenvatinib. Several treatment options have been recently added to the second-line treatment of advanced HCC.