Prognostic Value of Exon-20 Insertions in Czech Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: Per literature, patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon-20 insertions respond poorly to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This study analyzed real-world data to examine the prognostic and predictive value of these mutations.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Czech TULUNG Registry data, with data on multiple mutation types, collected in 2011-2020.

Identification of tumors with NRG1 rearrangement, including a novel putative pathogenic UNC5D-NRG1 gene fusion in prostate cancer by data-drilling a de-identified tumor database.

The fusion genes containing neuregulin-1 (NRG1) are newly described potentially actionable oncogenic drivers. Initial clinical trials have shown a positive response to targeted treatment in some cases of NRG1 rearranged lung adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma. The cost-effective large scale identification of NRG1 rearranged tumors is an open question.

IDH1 mutation is associated with lower expression of VEGF but not microvessel formation in glioblastoma multiforme.

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most malignant primary brain tumor characterized by pathological vascularization. Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) were observed in GBM. We aimed to assess the intra-tumor hypoxia, angiogenesis and microvessel formation in GBM and to find their associations with IDH1 mutation status and patients prognosis.

The Effectiveness of Febrile Neutropenia Prophylaxis with Lipegfilgrastim in Routine Clinical Practice.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common and potentially fatal complication of anticancer treatment, particularly in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. It has been shown that prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), especially its pegylated forms, significantly reduces the incidence of FN, the likelihood of chemotherapy dose intensity reduction and, also, the number of hospitalizations due to FN. This review discusses currently published results from clinical trials dealing with FN prophylaxis in routine clinical practice in patients with solid tumors and myeloproliferative malignancies with a focus on lipegfilgrastim, which is the newest modification of the original molecule filgrastim.

Evaluation of Tumor Markers and Their Impact on Prognosis in Gallbladder, Bile Duct and Cholangiocellular Carcinomas - A Pilot Study.

Background/aim: The behavior of tumor markers in biliary tract malignancies is not well-known and has been scarcely studied. Such markers could play important roles in diagnostic and prognostic schemes as well as in decision-making about the best treatment strategies. This study analyzed the preoperative serum levels of conventional tumor markers (AFP, CEA, CA 19-9, CA 72-4), proliferative marker thymidine kinase (TK) and cytokeratins (TPA, TPS and CYFRA 21.

Advances in Experimental Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most malignant primary brain tumor in adults with generally dismal prognosis, early clinical deterioration and high mortality. GBM is extremely invasive, characterized by intense and aberrant vascularization and high resistance to multimodal treatment. Standard therapy (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide) has very limited effectiveness, with median overall survival of patients no longer than 15 months.

Pre-transplant Quantitative Determination of NPM1 Mutation Significantly Predicts Outcome of AIlogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Normal Karyotype AML in Complete Remission.

Background/aim: Minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) can influence the results of therapy. With the aim of evaluating the potential role of pre-transplant MRD, we studied the impact of pre-transplant MRD level on the outcome of alloHSCT in patients with AML in complete remission (CR).

Patients And Methods: From 2/2005 to 9/2014, 60 patients with a median age of 54 years (range=30-66 years) with normal karyotype-AML harboring nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation [53% Fms-related tyrosine kinase receptor 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD)-positive] in first (n=45) or second (n=15) CR underwent myeloablative (n=16) or reduced-intensity (n=44) alloHSCT (27% related, 73% unrelated).

The Role of Cetuximab in the Induction of Anticancer Immune Response in Colorectal Cancer Treatment.

Monoclonal antibodies binding the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), such as cetuximab or panitumumab, are widely used targeted therapeutics for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. The clinical significance of these drugs has so far been associated with combined chemotherapy or radiation. It has been shown that these treatment strategies have their clinical limitations and do not fully exploit the immunomodulatory effect of these drugs.

Patient-reported outcomes with lanreotide Autogel/Depot for carcinoid syndrome: An international observational study.

Background: Lanreotide Autogel/Depot effectively controls symptoms in patients with carcinoid syndrome associated with neuroendocrine tumours. Data on patient-reported outcomes are sparse.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of lanreotide on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with carcinoid syndrome.

G12V and G12A KRAS mutations are associated with poor outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with bevacizumab.

The v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations are found in 35-45 % of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. Although the association between the RAS signaling and angiogenesis is well known, the negative predictive value of KRAS mutation has not been established in patients treated with bevacizumab. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between specific KRAS mutation types and outcome of patients with metastatic CRC treated with bevacizumab.

Tissue Biomarkers in Predicting Response to Sunitinib Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Aim: To identify tissue biomarkers that are predictive of the therapeutic effect of sunitinib in treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mCRCC).

Materials And Methods: Our study included 39 patients with mCRCC treated with sunitinib. Patients were stratified into two groups based on their response to sunitinib treatment: non-responders (progression), and responders (stable disease, regression).

The Association of Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9, Thymidine Kinase, and Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen with Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with Bevacizumab: a Retrospective Study.

The aim of our retrospective study was to analyze the association of selected tumor markers (TMs) including serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), thymidine kinase, and tissue polypeptide specific antigen with outcomes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with bevacizumab. There is an increasing body of evidence from retrospective/observational studies that some serum TMs may be predictive of effect of targeted therapies in mCRC. In our study, the cohort included 152 patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy between years 2005 and 2014 at Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical School and Teaching Hospital Pilsen.

[Deferred breast reconstruction - soul surgery?].

Background: The loss or mutilation of a breast as a result of surgical treatment of neoplastic disease always represents a negative impact on a woman's psyche and negatively influences the quality of the woman's remaining life. The goal of our work was to implement deferred breast reconstruction into routine practice and the objectification of the influence of reconstruction on bodily integrity, quality of life, and the feeling of satisfaction in women.

Methods And Results: Women in remission from neoplastic disease after a radical mastectomy were indicated for breast reconstruction.

The role of cetuximab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Targeted biological therapy is becoming a standard in personalized medicine for patients with advanced stages of cancer. Treatment with cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody, represents an example of personalized anticancer therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and wild (non-mutated) type of the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS). Here the role of cetuximab in treating metastatic colorectal cancer is discussed with a focus on the treatment of hepatic metastases.

Functional, genetic, and epigenetic aspects of base and nucleotide excision repair in colorectal carcinomas.

Purpose: DNA repair capacity (DRC) is a determinant not only of cancer development but also of individual response to therapy. Previously, altered base and nucleotide excision repair (BER and NER) have been described in lymphocytes of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer. We, for the first time, evaluate both excision repair capacities in human colon biopsies to study their participation in colorectal tumorigenesis.

Infiltration of colorectal carcinoma by S100+ dendritic cells and CD57+ lymphocytes as independent prognostic factors after radical surgical treatment.

Background: S100(+) dendritic cells and CD57(+) lymphocytes are factors reflecting the immune system's ability to suppress the progress of tumor growth. CD57(+) cells include natural killer cells and late stages of T-effector lymphocytes. We evaluated the relationship between the known clinical and histological factors and tumor markers as well as the presence of S100(+) and CD57(+) cells in the tissue of colorectal carcinoma with the aim of detecting patients at high risk of short overall survival (OS) or short disease-free interval (DFI) after radical surgical treatment and we further analyzed whether S100(+) and CD57(+) positivity could bring on new information regarding the treatment regimen.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha stimulates liver regeneration in porcine model of partial portal vein ligation.

Background/aims: Portal vein ligation (PVL) could multiply the future liver remnant volume (FLRV). Tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is connected with initial phase of liver regeneration. The aim of this basic pilot study was to accelerate regeneration of liver parenchyma after PVL.

Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta-1 augments liver regeneration after partial portal vein ligation in a porcine experimental model.

Background/aims: TGF-β1 is a pleiotropic cytokine that is over expressed in terminal phase of liver regeneration.

Methodology: Twenty-four hours after partial portal vein ligation monoclonal antibody against TGF-β1 (TGF-β1 group, 7 piglets) or physiological solution (control group, 9 piglets) were applied into the central venous catheter. The biochemical parameters (bilirubin, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, gamma- glutamyl transferase, cholinesterase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and albumin) were assessed.

Prognostic significance of TIMP-1 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Unlabelled: Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) regulates not only extracellular matrix catabolism but the major effect in tumor tissue is promotion of cell growth and anti-apoptotic activity. The aim of our study was to evaluate plasma TIMP1 levels and tissue TIMP1 mRNA expression as prognostic markers in NSCLC patients.

Patients And Methods: We studied a group of 108 patients with NSCLC who had undergone lung surgery.

Vitamin D in colorectal, breast, prostate and lung cancer: a pilot study.

Background: Many studies have demonstrated the relationship between vitamin D and cancer of many different sites, including of the breast, colorectum, prostate and lung. Most epidemiological studies have assessed the effects of dietary intake only, although endogenous production after sun exposure is the main source of vitamin D. The aim of our pilot study was to study serum levels of vitamin D in general population and in patients with different type of cancer.

New clinical scoring system for prognosis of early recurrence of colorectal liver metastases after surgical treatment.

Background/aims: To determine the relationship between the mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and CEA in tumour tissue and preoperative serum levels of these tumour markers in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Additionally, to establish a new scoring system based upon these results in combination with the volume of the metastatic process to identify patients with a high risk of early recurrence of CLM.

Methodology: The correlation between the mRNA expression of CEA, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tissue samples and preoperative serum levels of the named tumour markers was performed on 27 patients.

The role of MonoTotal in the primary diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: A new cytokeratin tumor marker, MonoTotal was studied in lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients MonoTotal serum levels and their relationship to the tumor stage, histological subtype, early relapse and cancer-related death were evaluated.

Patients And Methods: MonoTotal serum levels were studied, using immunoradiometric assay in a group of 93 patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC undergoing radical surgery, and were compared to those with benign lung diseases.

Evaluation of tumour markers as differential diagnostic tool in patients with suspicion of liver metastases from breast cancer.

Aim: The liver is the site of breast cancer metastasis in 50% of patients with advanced disease. Tumour markers have been demonstrated as being useful in follow-up of patients with breast cancer, in early detection of recurrence of breast cancer after radical surgical treatments, and in assessing oncologic therapy effect, but no study has been carried out on their usefullness in distinguishing benign liver lesions from breast cancer metastases. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the importance of tumour markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen CA19-9 (CA19-9), thymidine kinase (TK), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) in differential diagnosis between benign liver lesions and liver metastases of breast cancer.

Parameters of biological activity in colorectal cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to measure several parameters in patients with early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) and to evaluate them for their utility in routine clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: Pre-operative serum levels of the following parameters were measured in 174 patients with CRC (clinical stage I-III): carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9, proliferative marker thymidine kinase (TK), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-peptide, insulin, adiponectin and leptin. The control group consisted of 50 patients who were undergoing a complete preventive medical examination and in these patients at the time of blood collection there was no evidence of any cancer disease.

Use of faecal markers in screening for colorectal neoplasia: a European group on tumor markers position paper.

Several randomized controlled trials have shown that population-based screening using faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) can reduce mortality from colorectal neoplasia. Based on this evidence, a number of countries have introduced screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) and high-risk adenoma and many others are considering its introduction. The aim of this article is to critically review the current status of faecal markers as population-based screening tests for these neoplasia.