Pathogenic mutations and overall survival in 3,084 patients with cancer: the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group Precision Medicine Initiative.

We evaluated the association between pathogenic mutations and overall survival (OS) in patients with cancer referred to Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group-affiliated Departments. Patients referred from 12/1980 to 1/2017 had molecular testing (for research) of archival tumor tissue collected at the time of first diagnosis (non-metastatic, 81%; metastatic, 19%). Tumor-specific gene panels (16-101 genes) were used to identify pathogenic mutations in clinically relevant genes.

Angiogenic and Antiangiogenic VEGFA Splice Variants in Colorectal Cancer: Prospective Retrospective Cohort Study in Patients Treated With Irinotecan-Based Chemotherapy and Bevacizumab.

Background: Alternative splicing of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) results in VEGFAxxxb antiangiogenic isoforms that fail to activate angiogenesis. Bevacizumab, widely used in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), binds both VEGFA and VEGFAxxxb isoforms.

Patients And Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary tumors from metastatic CRC patients treated with first-line FOLFIRI (leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) + bevacizumab (n = 285) or FOLFIRI only (n = 75) were collected.

Gemcitabine Combined with the mTOR Inhibitor Temsirolimus in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. A Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group Phase I/II Study.

Background: The prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer is dismal, and there is a need for novel and effective treatments.

Objectives: Tο determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of a novel gemcitabine (G) and temsirolimus (T) combination (phase I) and estimate the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with the T + G combination (phase II).

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients with histologically confirmed inoperable or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma (MPC) were entered into the trial.

Prognostic significance of tumor genotypes and CD8+ infiltrates in stage I-III colorectal cancer.

Background: We explored the clinical significance of tumor genotypes and immunophenotypes in non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: In primary tumors (paraffin blocks) from 412 CRC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, we examined pathogenic mutations (panel NGS; 347 informative); mismatch repair (MMR) immunophenotype (360 informative); and CD8+ lymphocyte density (high - low; 412 informative). The primary outcome measure was disease-free survival (DFS).

Associations of angiogenesis-related proteins with specific prognostic factors, breast cancer subtypes and survival outcome in early-stage breast cancer patients. A Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) trial.

Several studies support an important role of angiogenesis in breast cancer growth and metastasis. The main objectives of the study were to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family ligands (VEGF-A and VEGF-C) and receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3) in breast cancer and their associations with clinicopathological parameters, cancer subtypes/subgroups and patient outcome. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples were collected from early-stage breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy within a randomized trial.

EGFR or PD-L1 decision for first line therapy in a case series of EGFR positive and PD-L1 >50.

Targeted therapies are on the market for the past five years and recently pembrolizumab was approved as first line treatment for patients with PD-L1 >50%. We present three cases of patients which had epidermal growth factor receptor positive expression and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PD-L1 >50% overexpression.

Simple and reliable HPLC method for the monitoring of methotrexate in osteosarcoma patients.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases. Several automated binding assays are used in clinical practice and numerous chromatographic methods have been developed toward higher specificity and sensitivity. In the present study, phenyl cartridges were used for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of MTX from human serum samples; subsequently, extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, vinorelbine and estramustine phosphate in metastatic androgen-resistant prostate cancer: a single institution experience.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of docetaxel, vinorelbine and oral estramustine in androgen-resistant prostate cancer (ARPC).

Patients And Methods: Fifty-two eligible patients were treated with docetaxel at 30 mg/m2 (day 1 and 8), vinorelbine at 20 mg/m2 (day 1 and 8), and oral estramustine of 280 mg p.o.

Clinical significance of serum procalcitonin levels in patients with acute or chronic liver disease.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin levels in patients with acute or chronic liver disease, with or without bacterial infections and to correlate the results with the clinical outcome and the laboratory findings for these patients.

Methods: One hundred and six consecutive hospitalized patients with liver disease were evaluated for procalcitonin levels on admission. Fifteen of them (14.