Treatment of Stages I-III Squamous Cell Anal Cancer: A Comparative Effectiveness Systematic Review.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and harms of initial treatment strategies for stages I-III anal squamous cell cancer (SCC).

Methods: We searched Medline®, Embase®, and CENTRAL®, between January 1, 2000- March 2024, for randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies of interventions comparing initial treatment strategies. Individual study risk of bias (RoB) and overall strength of evidence (SOE) were evaluated for a prespecified outcome list using standardized methods.

First-in-Human Phase I Study of Minnelide in Patients With Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancers: Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Antitumor Activity.

Background: Minnelide is a water-soluble prodrug of triptolide. Triptolide is an anticancer agent that targets cancer resistance through several mechanisms. Minnelide was evaluated in a phase I study in patients with advanced GI carcinomas to establish the safety, pharmacodynamic, antitumor activity, and recommended phase II dose (RP2D).

A Phase I, Dose Escalation, Single Dose Trial of Oral Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Containing Human IL-2 in Patients With Metastatic Gastrointestinal Cancers.

Salmonella has been shown to preferentially colonize solid tumors. It is known that toxicity limits the systemic administration of immunomodulatory cytokines that have a significant anticancer effect. Therefore, we tested a unique cancer treatment strategy comprised of oral delivery of Saltikva, an attenuated strain of Salmonella typhimurium that contain the human gene for interleukin-2.

Psychological Well-Being, Risk, and Resilience of Youth in Out-Of-Home Care and Former Foster Youth.

This study assesses psychological well-being, risk, and resilience of youth currently in-care and former foster youth and how preparation for independent living affects these factors. Findings suggest significant psychosocial distress for former foster youth. Youth currently in-care fared better but demonstrated high scores on measures suggesting risk and potential for future mental health challenges.

Ruxolitinib + capecitabine in advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer after disease progression/intolerance to first-line therapy: JANUS 1 and 2 randomized phase III studies.

Background Ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/JAK2 inhibitor, plus capecitabine improved overall survival (OS) vs capecitabine in a subgroup analysis of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] >13 mg/dL) in the randomized phase II RECAP study. We report results from two randomized phase III studies, JANUS 1 (NCT02117479) and JANUS 2 (NCT02119663). Patients and Methods Adults with advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer, one prior chemotherapy regimen and CRP >10 mg/L were randomized 1:1 (stratified by modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [1 vs 2] and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status [0/1 vs 2]) to 21-day cycles of ruxolitinib 15 mg twice daily plus capecitabine 2000 mg/m/day (Days 1-14) or placebo plus capecitabine.

RNA sequencing of pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors yields novel expression patterns associated with long-term survival and reveals a role for ANGPTL4.

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients have low survival rates due to late-stage diagnosis and high rates of cancer recurrence even after surgical resection. It is important to understand the molecular characteristics associated with survival differences in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors that may inform patient care.

Results: RNA sequencing was performed for 51 patient tumor tissues extracted from patients undergoing surgical resection, and expression was associated with overall survival time from diagnosis.

Development of peripheral neuropathy and its association with survival during treatment with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine for patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: A subset analysis from a randomised phase III trial (MPACT).

Background: In a phase III trial in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC), nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (nab-P/Gem) demonstrated greater efficacy but higher rates of peripheral neuropathy (PN) versus Gem. This exploratory analysis aimed to characterise the frequency, duration, and severity of PN with nab-P/Gem in the MPACT study.

Patients And Methods: Patients with previously untreated MPC received nab-P/Gem or Gem.

Appropriateness of systemic treatments in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Aim: To evaluate systemic treatment choices in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and provide consensus treatment recommendations.

Methods: Systemic treatment options for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have expanded in recent years to include somatostatin analogs, angiogenesis inhibitors, inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin and cytotoxic agents. At this time, there is little data to guide treatment selection and sequence.

SLC28A3 genotype and gemcitabine rate of infusion affect dFdCTP metabolite disposition in patients with solid tumours.

Background: Gemcitabine is used for the treatment of several solid tumours and exhibits high inter-individual pharmacokinetic variability. In this study, we explore possible predictive covariates on drug and metabolite disposition.

Methods: Forty patients were enrolled.

Neoadjuvant interferon-based chemoradiation for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreas cancer: a Phase II pilot study.

Objectives: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a viable treatment strategy for patients with pancreatic cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the Virginia Mason Protocol (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, interferon-α and radiation) given in the neoadjuvant setting for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: A Phase II pilot study evaluating interferon-based neoadjuvant CRT in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer was performed.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreas cancer rarely leads to radiological evidence of tumour regression.

Background: Neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy has been proposed to improve resectability of locally-advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). However, the ability of neo-adjuvant therapy to induce radiological tumour regression has not been reported.

Methods: Pre- and post-treatment computed tomography (CT) scans of patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for LAPC were reviewed.

Using multi-informed fidelity data to determine the impact of a neutral child welfare facilitator for permanency decision teams.

Few studies have included fidelity monitoring and critical approaches to the evaluation of family decision meetings. The current study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the implementation and fidelity adherence of one state's family decision meeting model. Main findings indicate that while individuals facilitating the meetings perceive their fidelity to the model is strong, the observation data suggest that model adherence is inconsistent among those facilitating the meetings.

Systemic treatment in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated carcinoid tumors: consensus results from a modified delphi process.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop expert consensus for the use of systemic treatments for unresectable metastatic well-differentiated (grade 1-2) carcinoid tumors using the RAND/UCLA modified Delphi process.

Methods: After a comprehensive literature review, 404 patient scenarios addressing the use of systemic treatments for carcinoid tumors were constructed. A multidisciplinary panel of 10 physicians assessed the scenarios as appropriate, inappropriate, or uncertain (on a 1-9 scale) or as an area of disagreement before and after an extended discussion of the evidence.

Multicenter phase II trial of adjuvant therapy for resected pancreatic cancer using cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and interferon-alfa-2b-based chemoradiation: ACOSOG Trial Z05031.

Background: The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group sought to confirm the efficacy of a novel interferon-based chemoradiation regimen in a multicenter phase II trial.

Patients And Methods: Patients with resected (R0/R1) adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were treated with adjuvant interferon-alfa-2b (3 million units s.c.

Severe electrolyte disturbances after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: oxaliplatin versus mitomycin C.

Background: Oxaliplatin (OX) is increasingly used for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPC) for patients with peritoneal metastases. Our aim was to review electrolyte disturbances and complications after HIPC with oxaliplatin (OX) versus mitomycin C (MMC).

Materials And Methods: We included patients enrolled in single-institution prospective clinical trials who underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPC with MMC or OX.

A phase I study evaluating the role of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab as a radiosensitizer with chemoradiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: (1) To determine the safety of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab with concurrent gemcitabine and abdominal radiation in the treatment of patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. (2) To evaluate the feasibility of pancreatic cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) molecular profiling as a potential predictor of response to anti-EGFR treatment.

Methods: Patients with non-metastatic, locally advanced pancreatic cancer were treated in this dose escalation study with gemcitabine (0-300 mg/m(2)/week) given concurrently with cetuximab (400 mg/m(2) loading dose, 250 mg/m(2) weekly maintenance dose) and abdominal irradiation (50.

Phase I study of bortezomib and cetuximab in patients with solid tumours expressing epidermal growth factor receptor.

Bortezomib inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Cetuximab is a chimeric mouse-human antibody targeted against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We hypothesised that concomitant blockade of NF-kappaB and EGFR signalling would overcome EGFR-mediated resistance to single-agent bortezomib and induce apoptosis through two molecular pathways.

Is a solitary inguinal lymph node metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the rectum really a metastasis?

Objective: Metastatic involvement of inguinal lymph nodes (ILN) from rectal adenocarcinoma is unusual, particularly without signs of distant spread to other organ sites. By current convention, ILN involvement, including solitary involvement, is classified as metastatic disease (M). However, anecdotal reports suggest that such patients are a distinct entity and should be managed differently.

Dietary supplement usage by patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: does prognosis or cancer symptoms predict usage?

Any interactions between chemotherapeutic drugs and dietary supplements (DS) are a concern for oncologists. This study sought to obtain pilot data about the prevalence of consumption of DS (which include vitamin/mineral supplements [VS] and herbal supplements [HS]) among patients undergoing chemotherapy and to assess the relationship between DS consumption and both cancer prognosis and secondary cancer symptoms. In this pilot study, data on demographics, DS usage, presence of secondary cancer symptoms, and cancer diagnosis and stage were collected on 100 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal cancer and 40 with breast cancer who were receiving active chemotherapy from April 2004 to July 2004.

Platelet utilization and the transfusion trigger: a prospective analysis.

Background: Prophylactic platelet (PLT) transfusion practices have become more conservative as studies support a threshold for transfusions at 10 x 10(9) per L. This change in practice may reduce our use of PLT transfusions.

Study Design And Methods: Data were prospectively collected to assess the impact at one academic hospital when the transition from a 20 x 10(9) to a 10 x 10(9) per L threshold prophylactic transfusion was made.

Toxicity and quality of life after cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: The purpose of our study was to determine the toxicity and quality of life for patients with peritoneal metastases after cytoreductive surgery (CS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPC).

Methods: From 2001 to 2005, 35 consecutive patients with peritoneal metastases enrolled in a prospective trial approved by the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board. Their primary cancer sites included the appendix (19 patients), colon (7), mesothelioma (3), stomach (2), small bowel (2), gallbladder (1), and unknown (1).

Staged laparoscopic infusion of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery.

Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPC) is a promising treatment for patients with peritoneal malignancies. Traditionally, HIPC is performed concurrently with cytoreductive surgery. However, this strategy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Chemotherapy-induced thrombosis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent and potentially life-threatening complication associated with hematological and solid tumor malignancies. In patients with cancer, VTE portends a poor prognosis; in fact, only 12% of those who suffer an event will survive beyond one year. There are several different risk factors for the development of VTE in cancer patients that are well-described in the literature.