The impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on marital outcomes and factors associated with divorce and separation.

Objective: To analyze marital outcomes, divorce or separation, and its association with demographic, socioeconomic, and clinicopathological factors among breast cancer (BC) survivors after 2-years of diagnosis.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of marital status at baseline and at years 1 and 2 of follow-up of women aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with invasive BC participating in the AMAZONA III (GBECAM0115) study. The BC diagnosis occurred between January 2016 and March 2018 at 23 institutions in Brazil.

Real-world data on triple-negative breast cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer in women in Latin America and the Caribbean. We compiled real-world data (RWD) on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), addressing the main barriers to optimal care in Latin America. The prevalence of TNBC varies between 11% and 38.

Clinical validation and diagnostic accuracy of Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC compared to In-DTPA-octreotide in patients with neuroendocrine tumours: the LACOG 0214 study.

Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC is an easily available and cheaper radionuclide that could be used for somatostatin-receptor-based imaging of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC compared toIn-DTPA-octreotide in patients (pts) with NETs. We performed a prospective diagnostic study including pts with biopsy-confirmed NET and at least one visible lesion at conventional imaging.

Results of a survey study on health professionals' perceptions of tumor boards in Brazil.

Tumor boards (TB) are synonymous with quality of care but have been occasionally misunderstood and underutilized. This survey aimed to evaluate health professionals' perceptions of TBs in Brazil. The survey was sent electronically.

Current Scenario of Clinical Cancer Research in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), progress has been made in some national and regional cancer control initiatives, which have proved useful in reducing diagnostic and treatment initiation delays. However, there are still significant gaps, including a lack of oncology clinical trials. In this article, we will introduce the current status of the region's clinical research in cancer, with a special focus on academic cancer research groups and investigator-initiated research (IIR) initiatives.

Socioeconomic Impact of Cancer in Latin America and The Caribbean.

The incidence of cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is increasing yearly and is expected to reach 2.4 million new cases by 2040, with a more pronounced effect in Central America and South America. In addition, cancer is already the most frequent cause of premature death for most countries in LAC, and the second cause of death independent of country socioeconomic status, clearly demonstrating that the cancer burden in LAC should be addressed now rather than considered as an issue to be dealt with in the future.

Combination immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: challenges and future considerations.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have not yielded significant efficacy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), despite the role of the innate and adaptive immune systems on progression and survival. However, recently identified pathways have identified new targets and generated promising clinical investigations into promoting an effective immune-mediated antitumor response in PDA.

Areas Covered: We review biological mechanisms associated with immunotherapy resistance and outline strategies for therapeutic combinations with established and novel therapies in PDA.

Recurrent Aggressive Osteoblastoma of the Cervical Spine Successfully Treated with Radiotherapy.

Osteoblastoma is a benign disease usually treated with complete resection with curative intent, and it accounts for 14% of the benign bone tumors. A more uncommon presentation refers to a rapid growing mass known as aggressive osteoblastoma. We report the case of a young male with cervical swelling due to a progressive mass on the right side of neck with 3 months of evolution.

Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Who Underwent Pulmonary Metastasectomy with Curative Intent: A Brazilian Experience.

Background: We aimed to identify clinicopathological and molecular features associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after pulmonary metastasectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer in a retrospective cohort in Brazil.

Materials And Methods: We did a retrospective review of thoracic surgeries performed in a single large academic hospital in Brazil from January 1985 to September 2019. Demographics, previously described prognostic factors, and clinicopathological and molecular characteristics were abstracted.

Evaluation of dried blood spots as an alternative matrix for therapeutic drug monitoring of abiraterone and delta(4)-abiraterone in prostate cancer patients.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) approaches may benefit patients treated with abiraterone acetate (AA) as drug efficacy is imprecise and important pharmacokinetic variability is known. Current methods based on the analysis of plasma present the disadvantage of the fast degradation of the analytes in the liquid sample. Dried blood spots (DBS) consist of a minimally invasive and unexplored sampling strategy to monitor the levels of abiraterone (ABI) and delta(4)-abiraterone (D4A) in patients.

A quick UPLC-MS/MS method for therapeutic drug monitoring of abiraterone and delta(4)-abiraterone in human plasma.

Abiraterone acetate efficacy against prostate cancer is dependent on the circulating levels of abiraterone and its active metabolites, which present significant pharmacokinetic variability among patients. Thus, therapeutic drug monitoring can be performed to improve treatment outcomes. To support such studies, there are only a limited number of bioanalytical methods in current literature.

CYP3A4*22 is related to increased plasma levels of 4-hydroxytamoxifen and partially compensates for reduced CYP2D6 activation of tamoxifen.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of CYP3A4*22 in the formation of endoxifen (EDF) and hydroxytamoxifen (HTF), under different CYP2D6 genotypic backgrounds.

Materials & Methods: 178 patients were enrolled in the study. CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 genotyping and tamoxifen (TAM) and metabolites quantification were performed.

Influence of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 Phenotypes, Drug Interactions, and Vitamin D Status on Tamoxifen Biotransformation.

Objective: In view of the large variability on therapeutic response and the multiple factors associated to tamoxifen (TAM) metabolic activation, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 phenotypes, drug interactions, and vitamin D exposure on TAM metabolism in a group of breast cancer patients.

Methods: Trough blood samples were collected from 116 patients. TAM and metabolites endoxifen (EDF), N-desmethyltamoxifen, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (HTF) were measured in plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Development, validation and clinical application of a HPLC-FL method for CYP2D6 phenotyping in South Brazilian breast cancer patients.

Objective: To develop and validate a method for determination of dextromethorphan (DMT) and dextrorphan (DTP) in plasma samples using HPLC-FL and to apply it to CYP2D6 phenotyping of a population from the South of Brazil.

Methods: Samples were prepared by hydrolysis and liquid-liquid extraction. Analysis was conducted in a reversed phase column, with isocratic elution and fluorescence detection.