Publications by authors named "Francesca de Felice"

Purpose: To investigate the awareness and the spread of ChatGPT and its possible role in both scientific research and clinical practice among the young radiation oncologists (RO).

Material And Methods: An anonymous, online survey via Google Forms (including 24 questions) was distributed among young (< 40 years old) ROs in Italy through the yAIRO network, from March 15, 2024, to 31, 2024. These ROs were officially registered with yAIRO in 2023.

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Purpose: To compare Italian use with current international guidelines and to evaluate oncological outcomes and toxicity patterns of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for endometrial cancer (EC) in Italian women.

Materials And Methods: To conduct a retrospective multicentre Italian study a large database was set up. Inclusion criteria were: accrual between 2010 and 2020, treatment with surgery, post-operative external beam RT (EBRT) and/or interventional radiotherapy (IRT) associated or not with adjuvant chemotherapy.

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Objectives: Comprehensive care is fundamental to cancer survivors enduring long-term side-effects of cancer treatment including nutrition impact symptoms and critical weight loss (CWL). The aim of our study was to address weight loss (WL), nutritional aspects, and quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study of HNC patients treated at the Sapienza University-Hospital, 2018-2022.

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Background: To investigate changes of objective instrumental measures and correlate with patient reported outcomes (PROs) of radiation-induced dysphagia (RID) after swallowing organs at risk (SWOARs)-sparing IMRT.

Methods: Patients (pts) underwent Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and M.D.

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Treatment monitoring in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer has become a hot topic in the androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) era. Patients without increase in their PSA level at the time of imaging progression are not a rare phenomenon. What is the best monitoring strategy in asymptomatic cases represents a salient question.

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Article Synopsis
  • The review examines how online medical resources and AI tools are changing radiation oncology practices by enhancing clinical decision-making.* -
  • A search of several databases identified 70 relevant studies that demonstrate the integration of web-based tools in various aspects of radiation therapy, including calculations and educational needs.* -
  • The findings indicate that these digital tools can improve personalized cancer treatment strategies, particularly across different cancer types, with a focus on breast and head & neck cancers.*
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Article Synopsis
  • The MITO-RT3/RAD trial was a Phase II study that evaluated the safety and effectiveness of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with oligometastatic ovarian cancer, focusing on those with lymph node disease.
  • Results showed a significant improvement in complete response (CR) rates, with 77.9% of lesions achieving CR, and an overall clinical benefit rate of 99.6% from 135 enrolled patients with 249 lesions across various institutions.
  • The trial indicated that SBRT has minimal toxicity, with 17% experiencing mild acute side effects, and it confirmed a strong correlation between CR and better progression-free survival (PFS)
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Multi-modal therapies for gynecological cancers management may determine a wide range of side effects which depend on therapy-related factors and patient characteristics and comorbidities. Curative or adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy is linked with acute and late toxicity due to irradiation of organs at risk, as small and large bowel, rectum, bladder, pelvic bone, vagina and bone marrow. Successful toxicity management varies with its severity, Radiation Centre practice and experience and skills of radiation oncologists.

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Article Synopsis
  • Immunotherapy is important for treating recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), but few patients experience long-term benefits due to an immunosuppressive tumor environment.
  • This study investigated how the expression of the protein CD73 by both cancer and immune cells influences the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in patients.
  • Results showed that high CD73 levels on cancer cells are linked to early disease progression, suggesting that evaluating CD73 could help identify patients who are likely to resist treatment.
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  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary glands (AdCCmSG) is a rare cancer with treatment strategies mainly drawn from those for major salivary gland cancers, highlighting the need for specialized clinical approaches.* -
  • This review discusses the epidemiology, classification, and recent treatment updates of AdCCmSG, aiming to improve understanding and optimize care, while suggesting a collaborative, multidisciplinary method in its management.* -
  • Challenges in managing rare cancers like AdCCmSG include insufficient data and guidelines, leading to a call for tailored expert opinions and future research based on molecular insights to enhance treatment options.*
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Introduction And Aim: Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-Hnscc) is a true therapeutical challenge in the modern era and the scientific community is trying to face this challenge with new therapeutical strategies, including combinations of monoclonal antibodies and radiation therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes in LA-Hnscc patients unfit to receive platinum-based chemotherapy, treated with concurrent simultaneous integrated boost-intensity modulated radiotherapy (Sib-Imrt) + cetuximab (Ctx) in daily clinical practice.

Methods: LA-Hnscc patients not included in other prospective studies treated in 4 Italian radiotherapy units (2 Messina, 1 Rome, and 1 Lecce) using Sib-Imrt and Ctx were included in this study.

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Introduction: The classic paradigm for the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) consists of (chemo)radiotherapy (C)RT), total mesorectal excision, and adjuvant chemotherapy (CHT). At present, due to the high rate of distant metastasis (up to 30%), the total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) with the administration of systemic CHT in the neoadjuvant setting has gained acceptance as standard of care.Our aim is to critically review the current literature on LARC management and summarize the different approaches recently proposed to improve clinical outcomes.

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Background: The KEYNOTE-048 trial showed that pembrolizumab-based first-line treatment for R/M HNSCC led to improved OS in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 1 population when compared to the EXTREME regimen. However, the R/M HNSCC real-world population is generally frailer, often presenting with multiple comorbidities, worse performance status and older age than the population included in phase III clinical trials.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-centre analysis of patients with R/M HNSCC treated with pembrolizumab-based first-line treatment.

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In this perspective paper, the findings of the recently published LUMINA study are critically evaluated, with an emphasis on the need for careful interpretation and a thoughtful approach in clinical practice. The LUMINA trial, which investigates the role of adjuvant endocrine therapy in low-risk breast cancer patients, is assessed for its limitations, including a highly selective patient cohort and an insufficient follow-up period. The importance of long-term data and further trials to inform clinical decisions effectively is emphasized.

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• Despite the significance of oncoplastic procedure, an italian database is lacking. • Senonetwork established a multidisciplinary survey to assess their safety and efficacy. • Reconstructive outcomes were positive across low and high-volume centers.

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The aim of this editorial is to focus on the urgent need to improve clinical outcomes in patients with bulky primary anal canal carcinoma.

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Introduction: The advent of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) has recently changed the workflow of radiation treatments by ensuring highly collimated treatments. Artificial intelligence (AI) and radiomics are tools that have shown promising results for diagnosis, treatment optimization and outcome prediction. This review aims to assess the impact of AI and radiomics on modern IGRT modalities in RT.

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The ongoing global health challenge of cancer is driving the pursuit of innovative avenues for prevention, treatment, and enhanced outcomes. The convergence of nutrition and immune modulation, known as immunonutrition, is ready to act as a catalyst for transformative change in cancer research and therapy. Our study employs a bibliometric analysis to uncover the evolving trends within immunonutrition and cancer research across the past 25 years.

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