Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) Combined with NGS Panel Testing Increases Accuracy in Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Estimation.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prominent tumor type among women, accounting for 32% of newly diagnosed cancer cases. BC risk factors include inherited germline pathogenic gene variants and family history of disease. However, the etiology of the disease remains occult in most cases.

The Clinical and Genetic Landscape of Hereditary Cancer: Experience from a Single Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Background/aim: The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the genetic investigation of hereditary cancer is important for clinical surveillance, therapeutic approach, and reducing the risk of developing new malignancies. The aim of the study was to explore genetic predisposition in individuals referred for hereditary cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 8,261 individuals were referred for multigene genetic testing, during the period 2020-2023, in the laboratory, and underwent multigene genetic testing using NGS.

Microsatellite Instability Is Insufficiently Used as a Biomarker for Lynch Syndrome Testing in Clinical Practice.

Purpose: The pan-cancer presence of microsatellite instability (MSI)-positive tumors demonstrates its clinical utility as an agnostic biomarker for identifying immunotherapy-eligible patients. Additionally, MSI is a hallmark of Lynch syndrome (LS), the most prevalent cancer susceptibility syndrome among patients with colorectal and endometrial cancer. Therefore, MSI-high results should inform germline genetic testing for cancer-predisposing genes.

Only 32.3% of Breast Cancer Families with Pathogenic Variants in Cancer Genes Utilized Cascade Genetic Testing.

Background: Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes are responsible for approximately 5-10% of all diagnosed cancer cases. In order to identify individuals at risk in a cost-efficient manner, family members of individuals carrying pathogenic alterations are tested only for the specific variant that was identified in their carrier relative. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical use and implementation of cascade family testing (CFT) in families of breast cancer patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) in cancer-related predisposition genes.

Copy Number Variations (CNVs) Account for 10.8% of Pathogenic Variants in Patients Referred for Hereditary Cancer Testing.

Background/aim: Germline copy number variation (CNV) is a type of genetic variant that predisposes significantly to inherited cancers. Today, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have contributed to multi gene panel analysis in clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: A total of 2,163 patients were screened for cancer susceptibility, using a solution-based capture method.

Safety and Efficacy of RAD001 (Everolimus) Administered Upon Relapse During or After Adjuvant Treatment in Post-menopausal Women With Hormone Receptor Positive, HER2/neu Negative Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (CRAD001JGR08 "MELPOMENI" study).

Background/aim: This study aimed to provide real-world safety and effectiveness data of everolimus (EVE) plus exemestane (EXE) in estrogen receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (ER/HER2) advanced breast cancer (aBC).

Patients And Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted by 19 hospital-based oncologists in Greece. Eligible patients were treated with EVE+EXE in the first-line setting; EVE was initiated according to the approved label.

Mapping the location of peritoneal metastases using the peritoneal cancer index and the correlation with overall survival: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising treatment for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Our objective was to identify new prognostic factors within the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) score in PC patients.

Methods: 140 patients (60 ovarian, 45 colon, 14 gastric, 10 pseudomyxoma peritonei, 5 mesothelioma, 6 sarcoma) with PC treated with CRS+HIPEC from 2007 to December 2013 were retrospectively included.

Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a prospective randomized phase III study.

Background: The current treatment of ovarian cancer consists of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and systemic chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to examine if hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an alternative modality to treat this category of patients along with a second attempt of surgical resection and second- or third-line systemic chemotherapy afterward.

Methods: In an 8-year period (2006-2013), 120 women with advanced ovarian cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] IIIc and IV) who experienced disease recurrence after initial treatment with conservative or debulking surgery and systemic chemotherapy were randomized into two groups.

Short bowel syndrome after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: nutritional considerations.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present a group of patients with <150 cm of small intestine after cytoreductive surgery (CRS)+hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and the special problems arising from this condition.

Methods: From November 2005 to November 2013, 130 patients were treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) with CRS+HIPEC. Ten patients (7.

Pemetrexed versus erlotinib in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG) randomized phase 3 study.

Background: In this superiority study, pemetrexed was compared with erlotinib in pre-treated patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who progressed after first-line or second-line treatment were randomized to receive either pemetrexed or erlotinib. In total, 21.

A phase II study of metronomic oral vinorelbine administered in the second line and beyond in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a phase II study of the Hellenic Oncology Research Group.

Introduction: Frequent administration of low doses of cytotoxic drugs (metronomic chemotherapy) has been suggested to suppress tumour growth possibly by inhibiting angiogenesis. We evaluated a metronomic regimen of oral vinorelbine in pre-treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Forty-six pre-treated NSCLC patients received oral vinorelbine at a fixed dose of 50 mg three times a week.

Paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin as salvage treatment in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer: a Hellenic oncology research group multicenter phase II study.

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of biweekly paclitaxel and carboplatin combination in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients were treated with paclitaxel at the dose of 135 mg/m(2) followed by carboplatin AUC 3 on day 1 every 2 weeks in cycles of 28 days.

Results: Thirty-eight patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer were enrolled, and all of them had received frontline chemotherapy with docetaxel and prednisone, while 24 (63.

A phase II trial of erlotinib as front-line treatment in clinically selected patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of erlotinib as front-line treatment in clinically selected patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: Forty-nine previously untreated white patients who had stage IIIB/IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma or bronchoalveolar carcinoma and who were nonsmokers or former light smokers were treated with erlotinib 150 mg daily, irrespective of the EGFR mutation status.

Results: In an intention-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate (ORR) was 24.

Second-line paclitaxel/carboplatin versus vinorelbine/carboplatin in patients who have advanced non-small-cell lung cancer pretreated with non-platinum-based chemotherapy: a multicenter randomized phase II study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the activity and toxicity of the paclitaxel/carboplatin (PC) doublet versus vinorelbine/carboplatin (VC) doublet as second-line treatment in patients who have advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Treatment: Patients pretreated with front-line docetaxel and gemcitabine were randomized to receive either PC (n = 75), which consisted of paclitaxel at a dose of 140 mg/m(2) and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC3), or VC (n = 78), which consisted of vinorelbine at a dose of 45 mg/m(2) orally and carboplatin AUC3; both drugs were administered on days 1 and 15.

Results: The overall response rate was 18.

Salvage treatment in metastatic breast cancer with weekly paclitaxel and bevacizumab.

Background: Weekly paclitaxel (P) in combination with bevacizumab (B) is an effective regimen as initial treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We investigated in a phase II study the activity of the same regimen as salvage therapy in MBC.

Methods: Pretreated women with MBC received weekly P (90 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15) and B (10 mg/kg days 1, 15) every 28 days.

Α multicenter phase II study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with irinotecan as second-line treatment of patients with refractory small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of a combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and irinotecan in patients with refractory small-cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-one patients with early relapse after first-line therapy with cisplatin/etoposide were treated with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 15 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 125 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15. Treatment was repeated every 28 days.

Second-line chemotherapy with capecitabine (Xeloda) and docetaxel (Taxotere) in previously treated, unresectable adenocarcinoma of pancreas: the final results of a phase II trial.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of the docetaxel and capecitabine combination in patients with previously treated, unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Patients And Methods: Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pre-treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, were treated with capecitabine (800 mg/m(2) orally, twice a day for 14 days) and docetaxel (75 mg/m(2) i.v, on day 1), every 3 weeks.

Etoposide plus cisplatin followed by concurrent chemo-radiotherapy and irinotecan plus cisplatin for patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer: A multicenter phase II study.

Purpose: The combination of irinotecan and cisplatin (IP) has shown at least comparable efficacy to that of etoposide/cisplatin (EP) in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of EP regimen followed by thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) and IP consolidation chemotherapy in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-three chemotherapy-naive patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) were treated with etoposide 100mg/m(2) on days 1-3 and cisplatin 80mg/m(2) on day 1.

Continuous administration of daily low-dose temozolomide in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

Purpose: Temozolomide, a novel triazene derivative, has shown activity in vitro against lung cancer as well as against brain metastases from a variety of solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temozolomide in pretreated patients with NSCLC.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-one pretreated patients (median age 60 years) with histologically confirmed NSCLC were enrolled.

Pooled analysis of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with front line docetaxel/gemcitabine regimen: the Hellenic Oncology Research Group experience.

Introduction: Thirty to 40% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are older than 70 years and rarely are enrolled in clinical trials. Moreover, in clinical practice, > 75% of patients older than 65 years with metastatic NSCLC never receive any kind of chemotherapy.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the impact of age on efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy regimens in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with the docetaxel-gemcitabine combination.

Dose escalating clinical study of high dose infusional 5-fluorouracil and leukovorin (AIO regimen) plus alternate weekly administration of oxaliplatin and irinotecan in patients with advanced tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Purpose: To determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) of weekly high dose 5-fluorouracil (5FU) continuous infusion and leukovorin (LV) alternatively combined with oxaliplatin and irinotecan in patients with advanced tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Patients And Methods: Patients received a fixed dose of LV (500 mg/m(2)) over 2 h infusion on weeks 1 to 4 and escalated doses of: oxaliplatin (starting dose 65 mg/m(2): 120 min i.v.

A dose escalation and pharmacokinetic study of biweekly pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumours.

To determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), paclitaxel (PCX) and gemcitabine (GEM) combination administered biweekly in patients with advanced solid tumours. Twenty-two patients with advanced-stage solid tumours were treated with escalated doses of PLD on day 1 and PCX plus GEM on day 2 (starting doses: 10, 100 and 800 mg m(-2), respectively) every 2 weeks. DLTs and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of all drugs were determined during the first cycle of treatment.

Oxaliplatin as first-line treatment in inoperable biliary tract carcinoma: a multicenter phase II study.

Background: A multicenter phase II study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin as first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic carcinoma of the biliary tract.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-nine chemo-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma received oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) i.v.

Salvage chemotherapy with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer: a multicenter phase II study.

Purpose: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the activity and tolerance of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methods: Thirty-one patients who had disease relapse or progression after completion of an anthracycline- and/or taxane-based front-line regimen were treated with gemcitabine 1,500 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 as a 30-min intravenous infusion and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 8 as a 4-hour intravenous infusion, in cycles of 21 days.

Results: Complete response occurred in 1 patient (3%) and partial response in 4 patients (13%) (overall response rate 16%; 95% confidence interval 3.