The VES-13 and G-8 tools as predictors of toxicity associated with aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer in elderly patients: A single-center study.

Background: Adjuvant hormone treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer is mainly based on aromatase inhibitors. Adverse events associated with such class of drugs are particularly severe in elderly patients. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of ab initio predict which elderly patients could encounter toxicity.

NSCLC Immunotherapy and Related Rare Toxicities: A Monocentric Real-Life Experience.

Background: In the last years immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) not supported by a driver mutation. Immunotherapy related adverse events (irAEs) have a unique toxicity profiles distinct from the toxicities of classical chemotherapy treatment relating to their mechanism of action. We analyzed some serious and uncommon life-threatening irAEs, needing a change in the therapeutic strategy.

The VES-13 and G-8 tools as predictors of toxicity associated with aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer in elderly patients: A single-center study.

Background: Adjuvant hormone treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer is mainly based on aromatase inhibitors. Adverse events associated with such class of drugs are particularly severe in elderly patients. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of ab initio predict which elderly patients could encounter toxicity.

Lipocalin 2 increases after high-intensity exercise in humans and influences muscle gene expression and differentiation in mice.

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an adipokine that accomplishes several functions in diverse organs. However, its importance in muscle and physical exercise is currently unknown. We observed that following acute high-intensity exercise ("Gran Sasso d'Italia" vertical run), LCN2 serum levels were increased.

Breakthrough Cancer Pain Clinical Features and Differential Opioids Response: A Machine Learning Approach in Patients With Cancer From the IOPS-MS Study.

Purpose: A large proportion of patients with cancer suffer from breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP). Several unmet clinical needs concerning BTcP treatment, such as optimal opioid dosages, are being investigated. In this analysis the hypothesis, we explore with an unsupervised learning algorithm whether distinct subtypes of BTcP exist and whether they can provide new insights into clinical practice.

The lower the expectations in controlling the symptoms of advanced cancer patients, the better the clinical response.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare patients' global impression (PGI) and the achievement of personalised symptom goal response (PSGR), after a comprehensive palliative care treatment in advanced cancer patients having high (HPSG) and low symptom goals (LPSG).

Patients And Methods: Advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care units rated symptoms intensity by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS) at admission and then after one week of comprehensive palliative care treatment. For each symptom, patients were divided into two groups, according to their patient symptom goal (PSG): ≥4 (HPSG), and 0-2 (LPSG).

Individualized Whole-Body Vibration: Neuromuscular, Biochemical, Muscle Damage and Inflammatory Acute Responses.

. We aimed to investigate the acute residual hormonal, biochemical, and neuromuscular responses to a single session of individualized whole-body vibration (WBV) while maintaining a half-squat position. Twenty male sport science students voluntarily participated in the present study and were randomly assigned to an individualized WBV group (with the acceleration load determined for each participant) or an isometric group (ISOM).

Financial distress and its impact on symptom expression in advanced cancer patients.

Aim: To assess financial distress (FD) and its impact on symptom expression and other quality of life issues PATIENTS AND METHODS: Advanced cancer patients admitted to inpatient and outpatient clinics were selected. Standard epidemiological data including age, gender, primary cancer diagnosis, and Karnofsky level were recorded. Data regarding marital status, number of cohabitants, religious belief, educational level, and family income (< 1000, 1000-3.

Breakthrough Pain in Patients with Lung Cancer. A Secondary Analysis of IOPS MS Study.

Aim: To characterize breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in patients with lung cancer.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of multicenter study of patients with BTcP. Background pain intensity and opioid dose were recorded.

Breakthrough Cancer Pain in Patients Receiving Low Doses of Opioids for Background Pain.

Background: This study aimed to assess the characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in patients receiving low doses of opioids for background pain in comparison with patients receiving at least 60 mg of oral morphine equivalents (OME).

Materials And Methods: Patients with advanced cancer receiving less than 60 mg/day of OME with episodes of BTcP were included in the analysis (group L). Data were compared with patients receiving doses of opioids ≥60 mg of OME (group H).

Personalized Pain Goals and Responses in Advanced Cancer Patients.

Objective: To assess the personalized pain intensity goal (PPIG), the achievement of a personalized pain goal response (PPGR), and patients' global impression (PGI) in advanced cancer patients after a comprehensive pain and symptom management.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal.

Setting: Acute pain relief and palliative/supportive care.

Breakthrough pain in patients with head & neck cancer. A secondary analysis of IOPS MS study.

Aim: To characterize breakthrough pain (BTcP) in patients with Head and neck (H&N) cancer.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of multicenter study of BTcP. Background pain intensity and opioid dose were recorded.

Personalized goal for insomnia and clinical response in advanced cancer patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the Personalized Insomnia Intensity Goal (PIIG), the achievement of Personalized Goal Response (PGR), and Patient Global Impression (PGI) after a comprehensive symptom management.

Patients And Methods: Advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care units rated pain and symptoms intensity and their PIIG by using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS) (T0). In patients with significant levels of insomnia, the achievement of target expected (PIIG) was measured (patient goal response, PIGR), as well the patient global impression (PGI), by the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), after a comprehensive symptom management (T7).

Breakthrough Cancer Pain in Patients With Abdominal Visceral Cancer Pain.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in patients with abdominal cancer pain, and the eventual factors associated with its presentation.

Methods: Patients with abdominal visceral cancer presenting BTcP were included in the analysis. Pain intensity, current analgesic therapy, number of BTcP episodes, intensity of BTcP, its predictability and triggers, onset (≤10 minutes or >10 minutes), duration, interference with daily activities, medications and doses currently used for BTcP, and time to meaningful pain relief were collected.

Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction: suggestions from a multidisciplinary expert Board.

Constipation, one of the adverse effects of opioid therapy with a major impact on quality of life, is still an unmet need for cancer patients, particularly those with an advanced and progressive disease, and for non-cancer patients chronically treated with opioids. The awareness of this condition is poor among healthcare providers, despite the recent publication of guidelines and consensus conferences. An early multidisciplinary approach of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OIBD), based on available therapies of proven effectiveness, could support clinicians in managing this condition, thus increasing patients' adherence to pain therapy.

Bone Metastasis Pain, from the Bench to the Bedside.

Bone is the most frequent site of metastasis of the most common cancers in men and women. Bone metastasis incidence has been steadily increasing over the years, mainly because of higher life expectancy in oncologic patients. Although bone metastases are sometimes asymptomatic, their consequences are most often devastating, impairing both life quality and expectancy, due to the occurrence of the skeletal-related events, including bone fractures, hypercalcemia and spinal cord compression.

Factors influencing the use of opioids for breakthrough cancer pain: A secondary analysis of the IOPS-MS study.

Background: Controversies exist about the choice and the doses of opioid medication in breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP).

Methods: The aim was to assess factors influencing the use and the doses of opioids prescribed for BTcP. There was performed a secondary analysis of a national, multicentre study that involving 32 centres performed in patients having BTcP.

Personalized Goal for Dyspnea and Clinical Response in Advanced Cancer Patients.

Background: The clinical response after comprehensive symptom management is difficult to determine in terms of a clinically important difference. Moreover, therapies should try to reach the threshold perceived by the individual patient for the determination of a favorable response to a treatment.

Measures: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS) was measured at admission (T0), and seven days after starting palliative care (T7).

Symptom expression in advanced cancer patients admitted to hospice or home care with and without delirium.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between delirium and symptom expression in advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care services. This is a secondary analysis of a consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients who were admitted to home care and hospices, and prospectively assessed for a period of 10 months. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the MDAS (Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale) were measured at admission (T0) and after seven days of home care or hospice care (T7).

Hyoscine Butylbromide for the Management of Death Rattle: Sooner Rather Than Later.

Context: Death rattle (DR) is a dramatic sign in the dying patient. Existing studies with anticholinergic agents are controversial, as this class of drugs has been commonly administered without considering the rationale of the mechanism of action. A meaningful use of these drugs may provide a better outcome.

Factors Influencing the Clinical Presentation of Breakthrough Pain in Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to identify potential variables influencing the clinical presentation of breakthrough cancer pain (BTP). Cancer patients with a diagnosis of BTP were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as background pain and BTP characteristics were collected.

Personalized Symptom Goals and Patient Global Impression on Clinical Changes in Advanced Cancer Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the patients' global impression (PGI) after symptom management, as well as the achievement of personalized symptom goals (PSG). The secondary outcome was to assess related factors.

Subjects, Materials, And Methods: Advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care units rated symptom intensity by using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS) at admission and then after 1 week.

Prevalence of delirium in advanced cancer patients in home care and hospice and outcomes after 1 week of palliative care.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of delirium in advanced cancer patients admitted to different palliative care services in Italy and possible related factors. The secondary outcome was to assess the changes of delirium after 1 week of palliative care.

Methods: A consecutive sample of patients was screened for delirium in period of 1 year in seven palliative care services.

The prevalence of constipation at admission and after 1 week of palliative care: a multi-center study.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and intensity of constipation in advanced-cancer patients referred to palliative care, and to assess changes after 1 week of specialist palliative care.

Methods: This was a prospective multi-center study in advanced patients for a period of 1 year. At admission (T0), age, gender, primary tumor, concomitant diseases, Karnofsky status, Palliative prognostic score (PaP), Edmonton Symptom Assessment scale (ESAS), Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS), and bowel function index (BFI) were collected.