Trifluridine/Tipiracil Based Chemoradiation in locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: The Phase I/II TARC Trial.

Background: Optimizing functional outcomes and securing long-term remissions are key goals in managing patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. In this proof-of-concept study, we set out to further optimize neoadjuvant therapy by integrating the radiosensitizer trifluridine/tipiracil and explore the potential of cell free tumor DNA (ctDNA) to monitor residual disease.

Methods: About 10 patients were enrolled in the phase I dose finding part which followed a 3 + 3 dose escalation design.

Quality of life and outcome of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine: Real-life results from the prospective QOLIXANE trial of the Platform for Outcome, Quality of Life and Translational Research on Pancreatic Cancer registry.

Few data exist on health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) receiving first-line chemotherapy (Awad L ZE, Mesbah M Boston, MA. Applying survival data methodology to analyze quality of life data, in Mesbah M, Cole BF, Ting Lee M-L (eds): Statistical Methods for Quality of Life Studies: Design, Measurements and Analysis. Kluwer Academic Publishers 2002).

Nanobody-based CD38-specific heavy chain antibodies induce killing of multiple myeloma and other hematological malignancies.

: CD38 is a target for the therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) with monoclonal antibodies such as daratumumab and isatuximab. Since MM patients exhibit a high rate of relapse, the development of new biologics targeting alternative CD38 epitopes is desirable. The discovery of single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) has opened the way for a new generation of antitumor therapeutics.

Targeting CD38-Expressing Multiple Myeloma and Burkitt Lymphoma Cells In Vitro with Nanobody-Based Chimeric Antigen Receptors (Nb-CARs).

The NAD-hydrolyzing ecto-enzyme CD38 is overexpressed by multiple myeloma and other hematological malignancies. We recently generated CD38-specific nanobodies, single immunoglobulin variable domains derived from heavy-chain antibodies naturally occurring in llamas. Nanobodies exhibit high solubility and stability, allowing easy reformatting into recombinant fusion proteins.

Perioperative chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel versus fluorouracil or capecitabine plus cisplatin and epirubicin for locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (FLOT4): a randomised, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: Docetaxel-based chemotherapy is effective in metastatic gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. This study reports on the safety and efficacy of the docetaxel-based triplet FLOT (fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel) as a perioperative therapy for patients with locally advanced, resectable tumours.

Methods: In this controlled, open-label, phase 2/3 trial, we randomly assigned 716 patients with histologically-confirmed advanced clinical stage cT2 or higher or nodal positive stage (cN+), or both, resectable tumours, with no evidence of distant metastases, via central interactive web-based-response system, to receive either three pre-operative and three postoperative 3-week cycles of 50 mg/m epirubicin and 60 mg/m cisplatin on day 1 plus either 200 mg/m fluorouracil as continuous intravenous infusion or 1250 mg/m capecitabine orally on days 1 to 21 (ECF/ECX; control group) or four preoperative and four postoperative 2-week cycles of 50 mg/m docetaxel, 85 mg/m oxaliplatin, 200 mg/m leucovorin and 2600 mg/m fluorouracil as 24-h infusion on day 1 (FLOT; experimental group).

Sequential Versus Combination Therapy of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Using Fluoropyrimidines, Irinotecan, and Bevacizumab: A Randomized, Controlled Study-XELAVIRI (AIO KRK0110).

Purpose: The XELAVIRI trial investigated the optimal treatment strategy for patients with untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. We tested the noninferiority of initial treatment with a fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab, followed by the addition of irinotecan at first progression (arm A) versus upfront use of fluoropyrimidine plus irinotecan plus bevacizumab (arm B) in a 1:1 randomized, controlled phase III trial.

Methods: The primary efficacy end point was time to failure of the strategy (TFS).

Synergistic cytotoxic activity of treosulfan and gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Background: Treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer is still very unsatisfactory. Treosulfan is an alkylating agent used for conventional, as well as high-dose chemotherapy regimens, whereby plasma concentrations over 500 μg/ml can be achieved. We investigated the effects of treosulfan on pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Combination therapy targeting integrins reduces glioblastoma tumor growth through antiangiogenic and direct antitumor activity and leads to activation of the pro-proliferative prolactin pathway.

Background: Tumors may develop resistance to specific angiogenic inhibitors via activation of alternative pathways. Therefore, multiple angiogenic pathways should be targeted to achieve significant angiogenic blockade. In this study we investigated the effects of a combined application of the angiogenic inhibitors endostatin and tumstatin in a model of human glioblastoma multiforme.

The metabolite 3-hydroxiglutaric acid effectively reduces glioblastoma growth in vivo by affecting the structural integrity of tumor vasculature.

3-Hydroxiglutaric acid (3-OH-GA) is a disease-specific metabolite that accumulates in tissues and body fluids of patients with Glutaric aciduria type I (GAI) and has been associated with vascular abnormalities in these kindreds. Here, we demonstrate that 3-OH-GA also affects the integrity of tumor vessels leading to tumor growth inhibition in a subcutaneous model of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This effect correlated with a marked decrease of VE-Cadherin expression in endothelium of 3-OH-GA-treated tumors.

Elevated pretreatment serum concentration of YKL-40-An independent prognostic biomarker for poor survival in patients with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Background: The glycoprotein YKL-40 is synthesized both by cancer cells and by tumor-associated macrophages and plays a functional role in tumor progression. Consequently, high serum YKL-40 levels have been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with several cancer types. However, the role of YKL-40 has not been established in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Single-center management of 136 patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUP syndrome) over a period of 10 years.

Background: Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP syndrome) is a particular challenge in oncology which occurs in about 5-10% of cancer patients. Here, we investigated clinicopathological and prognostic factors in patients with CUP syndrome in a retrospective analysis.

Patients And Methods: 136 patients with CUP syndrome who were treated in our Department of Oncology and Hematology were analyzed over a period of 10 years.

TAE226-mediated inhibition of focal adhesion kinase interferes with tumor angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.

Neoangiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Evaluation of new anti-angiogenic targets may broaden the armament for future therapeutic concepts. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), expressed in endothelial and tumor cells, is essential for adhesion and mobility of adherent cells.

Pharmacogenetic analyses of a phase III trial in metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma with fluorouracil and leucovorin plus either oxaliplatin or cisplatin: a study of the arbeitsgemeinschaft internistische onkologie.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of germ-line polymorphisms of genes that may impact treatment outcome of platinum and fluorouracil combination chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Patients And Methods: Blood samples of 156 patients enrolled onto a phase III study comparing fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and cisplatin were collected. Polymorphisms within genes of TS, MTHFR, MTR, OPRT, XPD, ERCC1, XRCC1, XPA, GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-based techniques.

Expression of CEACAM-1 in pulmonary adenocarcinomas and their metastases.

Background: CEACAM-1 is involved in intercellular adhesion and is expressed in a variety of human tissues. In cases of malignant transformation, a down-regulation or loss of CEACAM-1 has been shown. In contrast, CEACAM-1 is not expressed in normal lung tissue or melanocytes.

Evolving role of cetuximab in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

In recent years, the monoclonal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting antibody cetuximab was introduced into systemic therapy of colorectal cancer and gained an established role in the treatment of this disease. Cetuximab was shown to be active as a single agent in chemorefractory metastatic disease as well as in combination with varying chemotherapies. Recently, randomized trials demonstrated the activity of cetuximab combinations in the first-line setting of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin with and without cetuximab in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Purpose: This randomized study assessed whether the best overall response rate (ORR) of cetuximab combined with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4) was superior to that of FOLFOX-4 alone as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. The influence of KRAS mutation status was investigated.

Patients And Methods: Patients received cetuximab (400 mg/m(2) initial dose followed by 250 mg/m(2)/wk thereafter) plus FOLFOX-4 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) on day 1, plus leucovorin 200 mg/m(2) and fluorouracil as a 400 mg/m(2) bolus followed by a 600 mg/m(2) infusion during 22 hours on days 1 and 2; n = 169) or FOLFOX-4 alone (n = 168).

Cilengitide induces cellular detachment and apoptosis in endothelial and glioma cells mediated by inhibition of FAK/src/AKT pathway.

Background: The antiangiogenic agent cilengitide disrupts integrin binding to the extracellular matrix leading to apoptosis of activated endothelial cells. Integrins are also widely expressed in malignant glioma and integrin inhibitors may directly target tumor cells in this disease. Aim of the current study was to investigate effects of cilengitide on endothelial and glioma cells on molecular and cellular levels.

A pilot study of docetaxel and trofosfamide as second-line 'metronomic' chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a chemotherapy containing docetaxel and oral trofosfamide as a 'metronomic' secondline treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: 21 patients with stage IV disease NSCLC who had progressed under first-line chemotherapy were enrolled. Previous chemotherapy was platinum-based in 15 patients (71.

Phase III trial in metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma with fluorouracil, leucovorin plus either oxaliplatin or cisplatin: a study of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with previously untreated advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach or esophagogastric junction were randomly assigned to receive either fluorouracil 2,600 mg/m(2) via 24-hour infusion, leucovorin 200 mg/m(2), and oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) (FLO) every 2 weeks or fluorouracil 2,000 mg/m(2) via 24-hour infusion, leucovorin 200 mg/m(2) weekly, and cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks (FLP). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

Combined antiangiogenic therapy is superior to single inhibitors in a model of renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Similar to cytotoxic drugs, a combination of antiangiogenic factors may lead to an improved treatment response and minimize resistance by targeting different pathways. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a combination of endogenous inhibitors using endostatin, soluble neuropilin-1 and thrombospondin-2 in a renal cell carcinoma model.

Materials And Methods: Microencapsulated porcine aortic endothelial cells producing endostatin, soluble neuropilin-1 or thrombospondin-2 were tested in vitro and in a murine renal cell carcinoma alone or as a combination of the all 3 factors.

Ocular fundus auto-fluorescence observations at different wavelengths in patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Post-translational protein modification by lipid peroxidation products or glycation is a feature of aging as well as pathologic processes in postmitotic cells at the ocular fundus exposed to an oxidative environment. The accumulation of modified proteins such as those found in lipofuscin and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute greatly to the fundus auto-fluorescence. The distinct fluorescence spectra of lipofuscin and AGE enable their differentiation in multispectral fundus fluorescence imaging.

Cilengitide inhibits proliferation and differentiation of human endothelial progenitor cells in vitro.

Bone marrow derived hematopoietic stem cells can function as endothelial progenitor cells. They are recruited to malignant tumors and differentiate into endothelial cells. This mechanism of neovascularization termed vasculogenesis is distinct from proliferation of pre-existing vessels.