Standard Versus Reduced CDK4/6 Inhibitor Therapy in Elderly Patients with Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: An Observational Multicenter Study.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are the standard of care for hormone receptor (HR)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer in combination with endocrine therapy. However, the real-world efficacy and safety of standard versus reduced doses in elderly patients remain unclear. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of standard versus reduced doses of CDK4/6 inhibitors in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Predictive Factors of Antibody-Drug Conjugate Treatment in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have revolutionized the treatment landscape for metastatic breast cancer, offering targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents with improved efficacy and tolerability compared to conventional chemotherapy. This narrative review explores key predictive factors influencing the efficacy of ADCs, focusing on HER2-targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab emtansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan, as well as sacituzumab govitecan for triple-negative breast cancer. HER2 expression, TROP-2 levels, hormone receptor status, and the tumor microenvironment emerge as critical biomarkers for patient selection and therapeutic outcomes.

Evaluating CDK4/6 Inhibitor Therapy in Elderly Patients with Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Real-World Multicenter Study.

Background: Metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer is commonly treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy. However, the efficacy and safety of this approach in elderly patients (≥70 years) remain unclear, particularly in the context of real-world clinical practice. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and tolerability of CDK4/6 inhibitor treatments in this fragile population, which is often under-represented in randomized clinical trials.

Metronomic chemotherapy and breast cancer: a critical evaluation of its role in the new landscape of therapeutics.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) remains a prevalent and challenging malignancy among women, with significant advancements in treatment strategies over the past decades. Traditional chemotherapy has been progressively supplemented by newer modalities, including Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), Immunotherapy (IO), and Targeted Therapies (TT). Despite these advancements, there remains a critical need for strategies that maintain efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

Synergizing Immunotherapy and Antibody-Drug Conjugates: New Horizons in Breast Cancer Therapy.

The advent of immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have revolutionized breast cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients. However, challenges, such as resistance and limited efficacy in certain cases, remain. Recently, the combination of these therapies has emerged as a promising approach to address these challenges.

Safety evaluation of Datopotamab deruxtecan for triple-negative breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: TROP-2 is emerging as a valid and fruitful strategy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, and several agents are currently under evaluation, including Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd).

Research Design And Methods: Herein, we performed a meta-analysis aimed to evaluate any grade adverse events, grade 3-4 adverse events, dose reduction, and serious adverse events in TNBC patients treated with Dato-DXd in clinical trials.

Results: The pooled results suggests that Dato-DXd is associated with a favorable safety profile: while any grade treatment-related toxicities were common, grade 3-4 events were not particularly frequent and mainly represented by stomatitis (13.

The Mediterranean Lifestyle to Contrast Low-Grade Inflammation Behavior in Cancer.

A healthy diet and an active lifestyle are both effective ways to prevent, manage, and treat many diseases, including cancer. A healthy, well-balanced diet not only ensures that the body gets the right amount of nutrients to meet its needs, but it also lets the body get substances that protect against and/or prevent certain diseases. It is now clear that obesity is linked to long-term diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Role of Etiology in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Lenvatinib: A Counterfactual Event-Based Mediation Analysis.

Background: Whether the etiology of underlying liver disease represents a prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib is still a matter of debate. This study investigates whether the viral etiology of HCC plays a prognostic role in overall survival (OS). Methods: Data derived from a multicenter series of 313 HCC patients treated with lenvatinib between 2019 and 2022 were analyzed.

Second-Line Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: A Multicenter Real-World Study.

Objectives: The ABC-06 and the NIFTY trials recently established the role of second-line chemotherapy (2L) in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). Our real-world study aimed to explore 2L in BTC patients aged ≥ 70 years old and to compare their outcomes with younger subjects. Methods: Institutional registries across three academic medical centers were retrospectively reviewed.

Pemigatinib in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Work in Progress.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most frequent primary liver cancer, following hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Progress in the molecular understanding of CCA has led to the development of several agents, including FGFR inhibitors, such as pemigatinib, whose approval has marked a new era in this hepatobiliary malignancy. However, a number of questions remain unanswered, including the development of secondary resistance and the role of combination therapies, including FGFR inhibitors.

Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made a breakthrough in the systemic treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, results of phase II and III clinical trials assessing ICIs plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment were controversial and conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis aimed at assessing the Odds Ratio (OR) of the pathological complete response (pCR) rate in trials assessing neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in TNBC.

Current and Future Role of Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Which Way to Go Forward.

Immunotherapy has revolutionized previous triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment algorithms, prompting researchers and clinicians to consider the expansion of the role of immunotherapy in other settings, including the earlier stage of the disease (e.g., as neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy).

The Impact of Concomitant Proton Pump Inhibitors on Immunotherapy Efficacy among Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently represented a breakthrough in urothelial carcinoma (UC). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are routinely used for extended time periods in UC patients, with these agents having potentially and frequently undervalued effects on ICIs efficacy.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis aimed at investigating the impact of concomitant PPI administration on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients receiving immunotherapy for metastatic UC.

Adenosine pathway inhibitors: novel investigational agents for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Introduction: The adenosine pathway has been suggested to play a key role in several carcinogenetic processes, with the metabolism of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) and its derivatives reported to be dysregulated in breast cancer. Preclinical evidence has supported the role of adenosine in the pathogenesis of this malignancy as well as the development of selective adenosine pathway inhibitors.

Areas Covered: The paper overviews the evidence regarding the use of adenosine pathway inhibitors in breast cancer; a literature search was conducted in January 2022 of Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases.

Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Cancer Cachexia.

Chronic inflammation has long been linked to obesity and related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. According to current research, the increased risk of cancer in people with certain metabolic diseases may be due to chronic inflammation. Adipocytokines, which are pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted in excess, are elevated in many chronic metabolic diseases.

Which role for predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma?

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide, still representing an important cause of cancer-related death. Recent years have seen the emergence of novel systemic treatments for HCC patients, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Nonetheless, several questions regarding HCC immunotherapy remain unanswered, especially in terms of biochemical predictors of response.

Dual immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma: where do we stand?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Surgery, local ablative therapies and liver transplantation are the only potentially curative strategies, but the majority of patients present with advanced disease at diagnosis or develop recurrence after surgery. In recent years, immunotherapy for HCC has received growing interest, and one of the most promising strategies is the association of two immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which has already demonstrated its potential in other solid tumors such as melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

Impact of clinicopathological features on immune-based combinations for advanced urothelial carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently revolutionized the treatment landscape of metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The authors performed a meta-analysis aiming to evaluate the predictive value of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, age, sex, liver metastasis and histology in trials comparing first-line ICI-based combinations with chemotherapy in metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients. Hazard ratios were analyzed.

Immune-based combinations for metastatic triple negative breast cancer in clinical trials: current knowledge and therapeutic prospects.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy appears to be effective in a small cohort of patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC). This supports the exploration of strategies for increasing the efficacy of immunotherapy. To enhance overall response and clinical outcomes, several immune-based combinations are being investigated.

Ampullary Carcinoma: An Overview of a Rare Entity and Discussion of Current and Future Therapeutic Challenges.

Ampullary carcinomas (ACs) represent a rare entity, accounting for approximately 0.2% of all gastrointestinal solid tumors and 20% of all periampullary cancers (PACs). Unfortunately, few data are available regarding the optimal therapeutic strategy for ACs due to their rarity, and physicians frequently encounter significant difficulties in the management of these malignancies.

First-line immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combinations in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: current management and future challenges.

Introduction: Immunotherapy has recently taken on an extremely important role in medical oncology, as first- or later-line treatment in several tumor types, and recent years have seen the emerging of clinical trials assessing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Areas Covered: Herein, we provide an overview of recently published studies exploring the dual immune checkpoint blockade or the combination of ICIs plus biological treatments as first-line treatment in HCC patients with advanced disease, especially focusing on the biological rationale behind these therapeutic strategies, and ongoing active and recruiting clinical trials.

Expert Opinion: Results of studies on monotherapy with ICIs have suggested that this strategy could be beneficial only in a minority of patients; conversely, the recently published IMbrave150 study has reported an overall survival benefit in HCC receiving the combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab compared to sorafenib as first-line treatment.

Risk of cardiovascular toxicities and hypertension in nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with novel hormonal agents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

With hormonal agents quickly expanding as novel therapeutic options in nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), the toxicity profile of enzalutamide, apalutamide, and darolutamide should be kept in mind. We performed an updated meta-analysis with the aim to analyze the risk of treatment-related cardiovascular (CV) events, any grade, and grade 3-4 (G3-4) hypertension in nmCRPC patients treated with enzalutamide, apalutamide, and darolutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus ADT plus placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results were compared by calculating Relative Risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); RRs were combined with Mantel-Haenszel method.