Implications of genetic testing and informed consent before and after genetic testing in individuals with cancer.

Recent advancements in next generation sequencing have allowed for genetic information become more readily available in the clinical setting for those affected by cancer and by treating clinicians. Given the lack of access to geneticists, medical oncologists and other treating physicians have begun ordering and interpreting genetic tests for individuals with cancer through the process of "mainstreaming". While this process has allowed for quicker access to genetic tests, the process of "mainstreaming" has also brought several challenges including the dissemination of variants of unknown significance results, ordering of appropriate tests, and accurate interpretation of genetic results with appropriate follow-up testing and interventions.

The Use of Amiloride and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Cisplatin-Induced Hypomagnesemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Cisplatin, a chemotherapy agent widely used since its FDA approval in 1978 for testicular cancer, is associated with nephrotoxicity and hypomagnesemia. Magnesium supplementation is not only a treatment for hypomagnesemia but also a well-established agent in preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN). Considering the challenges associated with intravenous magnesium use and even with the supplementation of oral forms, there is a need for drugs that effectively reduce urinary magnesium excretion.

Overcoming barriers to lung cancer screening using a systemwide approach with additional focus on the non-screened.

Background: The lung cancer screening program at St Elizabeth Healthcare (Kentucky, USA) began in 2013. Over 33,000 low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screens have been performed. From 2015 through 2021, 2595 lung cancers were diagnosed systemwide.

Tumor Treating Fields therapy with standard systemic therapy versus standard systemic therapy alone in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer following progression on or after platinum-based therapy (LUNAR): a randomised, open-label, pivotal phase 3 study.

Background: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that disrupt processes critical for cancer cell survival, leading to immunogenic cell death and enhanced antitumour immune response. In preclinical models of non-small-cell lung cancer, TTFields amplified the effects of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. We report primary results from a pivotal study of TTFields therapy in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

Cellular Therapy for Lung Cancer: Focusing on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) Cells and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to a marked improvement in the outcomes of lung cancer patients. Despite these advances, there is a huge unmet need for therapeutic options in patients who are not candidates for targeted or immunotherapy or those who progress after first-line treatment.

Social Distancing to Avoid SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cancer and Noncancer Patients.

Background: Social distancing has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid exposure to SARS-CoV-2 ( Epidemiol Prev 2020;44:353-362).Cancer patients on or after active therapy seem to be more prone to COVID being symptomatic and life-threatening. When evaluating cancer patients' risk of acquiring COVID, it is essential to know the behavior of cancer patients that will affect their risk of exposure.

The Utility of Differential Scanning Calorimetry Curves of Blood Plasma for Diagnosis, Subtype Differentiation and Predicted Survival in Lung Cancer.

Early detection of lung cancer (LC) significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and improves LC survival rates. Currently, screening (mainly low-dose CT scans) is recommended for individuals at high risk. However, the recent increase in the number of LC cases unrelated to the well-known risk factors, and the high false-positive rate of low-dose CT, indicate a need to develop new, non-invasive methods for LC detection.

Radiotherapy in brain metastases from EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are present in 20-40% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Brain metastasis (BM) is more common in EGFR-mutated NSCLC (25-45%) compared to EGFR wild-type (15-30%). First and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as erlotinib and afatinib have proven to be superior to chemotherapy in the front-line treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

The Hispanic Paradox in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective/background: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18% of the total population in the United States identified themselves as Hispanic in 2016 making it the largest minority group.

A phase 2 trial of consolidation pembrolizumab following concurrent chemoradiation for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer: Hoosier Cancer Research Network LUN 14-179.

Background: Five-year overall survival (OS) for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poor. Until recently, a standard of care was concurrent chemoradiation alone. Patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with anti-programmed death 1 antibodies have demonstrated improved OS.

The association between history of traumatic events and health-related quality of life among lung cancer patients.

Purpose: Promoting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a primary goal of lung cancer treatment. Trauma history and distress can negatively impact HRQOL.

Design: A cross-sectional design examined the associations of trauma history, cancer-specific distress, and HRQOL.

Treatment Timing in Small Cell Lung Cancer, a National Cancer Database Analysis.

Objectives: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease treated as soon as possible given its rapid doubling time. Evidence for the appropriate time to chemotherapy initiation (TCI) for SCLC is lacking. This study evaluated TCI in SCLC on a national level.

Lung Cancer Screening Registry Reveals Low-dose CT Screening Remains Heavily Underutilized.

Background: Since 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force has recommended annual screening for lung cancer in high-risk patients with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Current literature has provided estimates of the lung cancer screening rate and only prior to appropriate insurance coverage for LDCTs. The aim of this study was to use newly established registry data to assess the lung cancer screening rate across the United States.

Transcription factor c-Maf is a checkpoint that programs macrophages in lung cancer.

Macrophages have been linked to tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, the transcriptional regulation of macrophages driving the protumor function remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the transcription factor c-Maf is a critical controller for immunosuppressive macrophage polarization and function in cancer.

NSCLC patient "migration" for treatment: A retrospective analysis of patient characteristics, travel patterns, and survival differences.

Purpose: Every year a significant population exists of those diagnosed with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who do not receive initial treatment upon diagnosis and then "migrate" to additional hospital before ultimately getting treatment. Migration to different hospitals may play a role in the decision to treat or not-to-treat, and we aimed to evaluate the potential factors that lead to treatment.

Methods: A retrospective review of 6212 patients with NSCLC from 29 Kentucky hospital registries from 2012 to 2014 was performed.

Performance of community-based lung cancer screening program in a Histoplasma endemic region.

Objectives: Lung cancer screening with low dose computed-tomography (LDCT) is currently recommended for high-risk populations based on mortality benefit shown in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). This study evaluated performance of a community-based lung cancer screening program in a Histoplasma endemic region.

Materials And Methods: Demographic and clinical information was collected through retrospective review of patients in the Lung Cancer Screening program of a Kentucky (Histoplasma endemic region) health system from 2016 and 2017.

Timing of treatment in small-cell lung cancer.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with poor survival and rapid doubling time. Current practice is to treat SCLC as soon as possible but evidence on appropriate timing of treatment from diagnosis (TTD) is lacking. This is a retrospective analysis of SCLC patients from the 2012 to 2015 Kentucky Cancer Registry.

Rescue therapy for acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura unresponsive to conventional treatment.

A 61-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, with Richter's transformation to a diffuse, large, B-cell lymphoma, treated with six cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone and in complete remission, presented to the hospital after her platelets were found to be 2×10³/µL in outpatient laboratory studies. She initially underwent a platelet transfusion without improvement. This was followed by 4 days of high-dose dexamethasone and intravenous immunoglobulin, which again yielded no meaningful effect.

Treatment and outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with high comorbidity.

Background: The life expectancy of untreated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is dismal, while treatment for NSCLC improves survival. The presence of comorbidities is thought to play a significant role in the decision to treat or not treat a given patient. We aim to evaluate the association of comorbidities with the survival of patients treated for NSCLC.

A phase 2, open-label, multi-center study of amuvatinib in combination with platinum etoposide chemotherapy in platinum-refractory small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Amuvatinib (MP-470) is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor with potent activity against c-Kit, synergistic with DNA-damaging agents. We evaluated amuvatinib in combination with platinum-etoposide (EP) chemotherapy by objective response rate, survival, and tolerability in platinum-refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients.

Methods: This study used a Simon 2-stage design requiring ≥3 centrally confirmed responses in the first 21 subjects.

Phase II Trial on Extending the Maintenance Flushing Interval of Implanted Ports.

Purpose: Retrospective studies suggest that it may be safe to extend the maintenance flushing interval of implanted ports from once every month, as recommended by the manufacturer, to once every 3 months, but no prospective cohort studies have been done specifically assessing the safety and feasibility of this intervention.

Methods: This was a phase II study in oncologic patients who retained a functional port after completion of systemic chemotherapy. Patients enrolled in the study had their port flushed once every 3 months and were observed until completion of five scheduled flushes (one on enrollment and four additional flushes, one every 3 months) or development of any port-related complication, including infections, thrombosis, and occlusions.

Classification of biosensor time series using dynamic time warping: applications in screening cancer cells with characteristic biomarkers.

The development of biosensors that produce time series data will facilitate improvements in biomedical diagnostics and in personalized medicine. The time series produced by these devices often contains characteristic features arising from biochemical interactions between the sample and the sensor. To use such characteristic features for determining sample class, similarity-based classifiers can be utilized.