Differences in the pathological, transcriptomic, and prognostic implications of lymphoid structures between primary and metastatic cutaneous melanomas.

Background: While the prognostic role of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) has been well studied in solid cancers, the prevalence and impact of immature precursor lymphoid structures known as lymphoid aggregates (LA) remain unresolved in relation to the disease process. In this study, we examined characteristics and the prognostic utility of LA and TLS status in histological samples from patients with melanoma.

Methods: We assessed The Cancer Genomic Atlas-skin cutaneous melanoma digital slides and melanoma specimens from the University of Pittsburgh for the presence of LA and TLS using H&E staining, multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) and transcriptomic analyses.

Deep brain stimulation targets in drug-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and predictors of response.

Purpose: Anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) is the only deep brain stimulation (DBS) target that is approved by the FDA for treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Hippocampus (HC) and centromedian nucleus (CMN) have been reported as potential DBS targets for DRE. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and predictors of response among DRE patients treated with DBS in general and among ANT, HC and CMN DBS-targets.

miRNA Profiles in Patients with Hematological Malignancy at Different Stages of the Disease: A Preliminary Study.

The dysregulation of miRNA expression has been shown to impact cellular physiology and tumorigenesis. Studies have reported several miRNA regulatory elements and pathways that play a significant role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of hematological malignancies. This is the first study to test the differential expression of miRNAs at crucial stages of the disease, specifically newly diagnosed, resistant to treatment, and remission.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Esophageal Carcinoma: Assessment of Efficacy Predictors of Response in Clinical Trials.

Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Even with the improvement of multidisciplinary treatment modalities, advanced unresectable EC patients had limited systemic therapeutic options for an extended period. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been introduced to advanced EC management in both first-line and second-line options, as well as in postoperative settings in resectable EC after preoperative chemoradiation.

MicroRNAs Associated with Androgen Receptor and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

It is crucial to identify novel molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The androgen receptor (AR) is a regulator of TNBC, acting partially via microRNA molecules (miRNAs). In this study, we used PCR arrays to profile the expression of 84 miRNAs in 24 TNBC tissue samples, which were equally classified according to AR expression and/or metastasis.

Association of Baseline Tumor-Specific Neoantigens and CD8 T-Cell Infiltration With Immune-Related Adverse Events Secondary to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Purpose: Recent evidence has shown that higher tumor mutational burden strongly correlates with an increased risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). By using an integrated multiomics approach, we further studied the association between relevant tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) features and irAEs.

Methods: Leveraging the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, we extracted cases of suspected irAEs to calculate the reporting odds ratios (RORs) of irAEs for cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Next generation immuno-oncology biomarkers in gastrointestinal cancer: what does the future hold?

Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers pose a significant health burden worldwide, necessitating advancements in diagnostic and treatment approaches. One promising avenue is the utilization of next-generation biomarkers, which hold the potential to revolutionize GI cancer management.

Areas Covered: This review explores the latest breakthroughs and expert opinions surrounding the application of next-generation immunotherapy biomarkers.

Targeted and Immunotherapy Approaches in HER2-Positive Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: A New Era.

-targeted therapy with the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has achieved impressive outcomes in the first-line settings of patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma overexpressing . However, considering that a substantial proportion of those patients eventually relapses, as well as the relatively limited performance of those agents in second-line settings, a deeper understanding of resistance mechanisms is needed for enhanced guidance for patients' therapeutic selection in the second-line setting and beyond. In this review, we highlight trastuzumab's (-targeting agent) performance in patients with gastric or GEJ cancer, with insight into mechanisms of resistance.

Expression of lymphoid structure-associated cytokine/chemokine gene transcripts in tumor and protein in serum are prognostic of melanoma patient outcomes.

Background: Proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines support development and maturation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the current study, we sought to investigate the prognostic value of TLS-associated chemokines/cytokines (TLS-kines) expression levels in melanoma patients by performing serum protein and tissue transcriptomic analyses, and to then correlate these data with patients clinicopathological and TME characteristics.

Methods: Levels of TLS-kines in patients' sera were quantitated using a custom Luminex Multiplex Assay.

Brief Report: Prognostic Relevance of 3q Amplification in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.

Introduction: Amplification of 3q is the most common genetic alteration identified in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (LUSC), with the most frequent amplified region being 3q26 to 3q28.

Methods: In this analysis, we aim to describe the prognostic relevance of 3q amplification by focusing on a minimal common region (MCR) of amplification constituted of 25 genes. We analyzed 511 cases of LUSC from The Cancer Genome Atlas and included 476 in the final analysis.

Stapler Pharyngeal Repair Versus Conventional Suturing After Laryngectomy in Jordanian Laryngeal Cancer Patients.

Background: The use of staplers in surgical repair of the pharynx after laryngectomy has gained traction in recent years, with differing results.

Objective: In this study, we compare the use of stapler suturing (SS) after laryngectomy in comparison with the manual suturing (MS) technique in laryngeal cancer patients regarding pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation, operative time, blood loss, margin status, and length of hospital stay.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of laryngeal cancer patients undergoing pharyngeal repair after total laryngectomy by either a stapler or manual suturing.

Transcervical approach to oropharyngeal synovial sarcoma: a case report.

Aim: Synovial sarcomas (SS) are malignant tumors rarely arising in the head and neck region. In most of these cases, the tumor arises in the cervical or hypopharyngeal region, and extremely rarely in the oropharynx.

Case Report: Herein, we report the case of a 22-year-old male oropharyngeal SS patient presented with breathing difficulty and dysphagia.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Predictors of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma Patients: A Machine Learning Approach.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became one of the most revolutionary cancer treatments, especially in melanoma. While they have been proven to prolong survival with lesser side effects compared to chemotherapy, the accurate prediction of response remains to be an unmet gap. Thus, we aim to identify accurate clinical and transcriptomic biomarkers for ICI response in melanoma.

Tumor Molecular and Microenvironment Characteristics in EBV-Associated Malignancies as Potential Therapeutic Targets: Focus on Gastric Cancer.

Although most people are infected with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) during their lifetime, only a minority of them develop an EBV-associated malignancy. EBV acts in both direct and indirect ways to transform infected cells into tumor cells. There are multiple ways in which the EBV, host, and tumor environment interact to promote malignant transformation.

Sentinel Lymph Node Gene Expression Signature Predicts Recurrence-Free Survival in Cutaneous Melanoma.

We sought to develop a sentinel lymph node gene expression signature score predictive of disease recurrence in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Gene expression profiling was performed on SLN biopsies using U133A 2.0 Affymetrix gene chips.

The Crosstalk between Microbiome and Immunotherapeutics: Myth or Reality.

The gut microbiome refers to microorganisms and their genetic material influencing local and systemic inflammation. Inflammation is known to contribute to cancer development, progression, and treatment. Evidence suggests that modulating the gut microbiome may affect responses to various cancer therapies.

An in Depth Look Into Intracranial Abscesses and Empyemas: a Ten-year Experience in a Single Institute.

Background: As the incidence of intracranial infections increase due to diagnostic procedures improvement, more real-life data is needed to reach a more solid informed management approach.

Objective: This study aims to describe and analyse clinical features of intracranial abscesses patients treated at a tertiary hospital in North Jordan during a 10-year period.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 37 patients treated at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) from 2011 to 2020 in Irbid, North Jordan.

Primary and secondary immune checkpoint inhibitors resistance in colorectal cancer: Key mechanisms and ways to overcome resistance.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly advanced colorectal cancer treatment in recent years. Antibodies that target the proteins programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) are among the ICIs that are currently being used in clinical practice. However, in colorectal cancer, ICI's effectiveness is limited to a fraction of patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), which only accounts for about 5% of advanced cases.

The Use of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia.

The use of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitors in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM) is evolving. Ibrutinib, a first-generation BTK inhibitor, is currently approved for use in frontline and relapsed/refractory disease. Second-generation BTK inhibitors are being used and studied to improve clinical outcomes and/or safety profile.

Insight on BRAF mutated colorectal cancer immune microenvironment.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest malignancy for both sexes. The BRAF mutation, one of the most common driver mutations in CRC, is known for its poor prognosis due to the increased risk of metastasis. The effect of the BRAF mutation on the tumor microenvironment was the topic of the study reported in , with special focus on immune status.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and immunotherapy: Beyond immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest and most common malignancies of the liver. Considering the rich immune background of carcinogenesis in HCC, efforts have been focused on further understanding the role of the immune system in tumor suppression and promotion. The utilization of immunotherapy in HCC has led to encouraging results that has translated to longer survival and better quality of life among patients.

Gender and early-career faculty disparities in hematology and oncology board review lecture series.

Participation of women and early-career faculty in hematology and medical oncology board review lecture series has not been studied previously. We aimed to evaluate gender and early-career faculty disparities in hematology and medical oncology board review lecture series. Speakers at major hematology and/or oncology board review lecture series meetings in the United States were analyzed in this cross-sectional study during a 5-year period from the years 2017 through 2021.