Esophageal chemoradiotherapy with concurrent nivolumab: Pilot results in the palliative treatment of oligometastatic disease.

Aims: Many patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer have dysphagia from their primary tumor and de novo metastatic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of nivolumab given concurrently with hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy to patients with oligometastatic and obstructing esophageal tumors.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in a planned single-arm, phase 2 clinical trial.

Chemoradiotherapy with concurrent durvalumab for the palliative treatment of oligometastatic oesophageal and gastrooesophageal carcinoma with dysphagia: a single arm phase II clinical trial (PALEO, sponsored by the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group).

Background: Oesophageal and gastrooesophageal junction (GOJ) carcinoma frequently present with dysphagia and de novo metastatic disease. There is scope to improve treatment paradigms to both address symptoms and improve survival. One method is integrating immune checkpoint inhibition with novel treatment combinations.

Strongyloides-An uncommon cause of eosinophilia whilst on durvalumab.

Background: In malignancy, eosinophils have been shown to play an important role in the tumour micro-environment. Increasingly, development of eosinophilia with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use is thought to be predictive of prognosis and development of immune-related adverse events. However, there are many other causes for developing eosinophilia which can contribute to the difficulties in diagnosis and management.

Business as unusual: medical oncology services adapt and deliver during COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged cancer care globally, introducing resource limitations and competing risks into clinical practice.

Aims: To describe the COVID-19 impact on medical oncology care provision in an Australian setting.

Methods: Calvary Mater Newcastle and Newcastle Private Hospital medical oncology data from 1 February to 31 April 2019 versus 2020 were retrospectively analysed.