Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Liver Transplant for Liver Cancer: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a bridge to liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is effective and safe is still unknown.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of SBRT before deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) for previously untreated unresectable HCC.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial conducted between June 1, 2015, and October 18, 2019, 32 eligible patients within UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) criteria underwent dual-tracer (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-acetate [ACC]) positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadoxetate followed by SBRT of 35 to 50 Gy in 5 fractions, and the same imaging afterward while awaiting DDLT.

Using the genomic adjusted radiation dose (GARD) to personalize the radiation dose in nasopharyngeal cancer.

Background: Locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients undergoing radiotherapy are at risk of treatment failure, particularly locoregional recurrence. To optimize the individual radiation dose, we hypothesize that the genomic adjusted radiation dose (GARD) can be used to correlate with locoregional control.

Methods: A total of 92 patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer / International Union Against Cancer stage III to stage IVB recruited in a randomized phase III trial were assessed (NPC-0501) (NCT00379262).

Complications of Central Venous Access Devices Used in Palliative Care Settings for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Central venous access devices (CVADs) have been commonly employed during various courses of anticancer treatment. Currently, there are a few types of clinically available CVADs, which are associated with short-term and long-term complications. However, little is known about the complication rates when CVADs are used only in palliative care settings.

Predictive factors of delayed viral clearance of asymptomatic Omicron-related COVID-19 screened positive in patients with cancer receiving active anticancer treatment.

Objectives: We sought to identify the predictors of delayed viral clearance in patients with cancer with asymptomatic COVID-19 when the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants prevailed in Hong Kong.

Methods: All patients with cancer who were attending radiation therapy for head and neck malignancies or systemic anticancer therapy saved their deep throat saliva or nasopharyngeal swabs at least twice weekly for SARS-CoV-2 screening between January 1 and April 30, 2022. The multivariate analyses identified predictors of delayed viral clearance (or slow recovery), defined as >21 days for the cycle threshold values rising to ≥30 or undetectable in two consecutive samples saved within 72 hours.

Cost-Effectiveness of Intranasal Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for Children: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: The public health burden of seasonal influenza is significant, and influenza vaccination is the most effective preventive strategy. Nonetheless, the recommendation of influenza immunization in the pediatric population is still underrepresented. Our work aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of pediatric influenza vaccination with the intranasal live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).

Overall Survival Benefits of First-Line Treatments for Asian Patients with Advanced Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutated NSCLC Harboring Exon 19 Deletion: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have explored various primary treatments for individuals diagnosed as having later-stage epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer. Nevertheless, the extent to which such treatments are efficacious, particularly with regard to overall survival (OS) rates of patients from Asia with exon 19 deletion (19del), has yet to be clarified. (2) Methods: A systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis were conducted by obtaining pertinent studies from PubMed/MEDLINE Ovid, Embase, Cochrane Library, and trial registries, as well as various other sources.

Treatment-Related Adverse Events of Combination EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in EGFR-Mutant Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: We performed a meta-analysis to examine whether combined epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) increases treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (2) Methods: Articles from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched. Proportions and odds ratios (ORs) of the pooled incidence of overall and organ-specific trAEs in combination EGFR-TKI and ICI were compared to TKI monotherapy.

Prognostic Biomarkers for Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

This systematic review aims to identify prognostic molecular biomarkers which demonstrate strong evidence and a low risk of bias in predicting the survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. The literature was searched for on PubMed to identify original clinical studies and meta-analyses which reported associations between molecular biomarkers and survival, including ≥150 patients with a survival analysis, and the results were validated in at least one independent cohort, while meta-analyses must include ≥1000 patients with a survival analysis. Seventeen studies fulfilled these criteria-two studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), three studies on methylation biomarkers, two studies on microRNA biomarkers, one study on mutational signature, six studies on gene expression panels, and three meta-analyses on gene expressions.

Overall Survival Benefits of First-Line Treatments for Asian Patients With Advanced EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Harboring L858R Mutation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Randomized controlled trials have investigated different first-line treatments for patients with advanced -mutated NSCLC. Nevertheless, their efficacy, in particular, the long-term overall survival (OS) benefit in Asian patients with L858R mutation, remains unclear.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis by retrieving relevant literature from PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, trial registries, and other sources.

An Exploratory Study of Refining TNM-8 M1 Categories and Prognostic Subgroups Using Plasma EBV DNA for Previously Untreated De Novo Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

(1) Background: NPC patients with de novo distant metastasis appears to be a heterogeneous group who demonstrate a wide range of survival, as suggested by growing evidence. Nevertheless, the current 8th edition of TNM staging (TNM-8) grouping all these patients into the M1 category is not able to identify their survival differences. We sought to identify any anatomic and non-anatomic subgroups in this study.

Refining TNM-8 M1 categories with anatomic subgroups for previously untreated de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: To propose a refined M1 classification in de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on pooled data from two academic institutions.

Methods: Previously untreated de novo M1 NPC patients prospectively treated at The University of Hong Kong (N = 69) and Fujian Cancer Hospital (N = 114) between 2007 and 2016 were recruited and randomized in a 2:1 ratio to generate training (N = 120) and validation (N = 63) cohorts, respectively. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed for the training and validation cohorts to identify anatomic prognostic factors for overall survival (OS).

Incidence and Demographics of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Cheung Chau Island of Hong Kong-A Distinct Geographical Area With Minimal Residential Mobility and Restricted Public Healthcare Referral Network.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in Hong Kong with a skewed geographical and ethnic distribution. We performed an epidemiological study of NPC in Cheung Chau Island, a fishing village with very minimal residential mobility, and compared its demographics and survival with the rest of Hong Kong.

Methods: NPC data in Cheung Chau and non-Cheung Chau residents between 2006 and 2017 treated in our tertiary center were collected.

Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival in Nasopharyngeal Cancer and Implication for TNM Staging by UICC: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

This study aims to identify prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to improve the current 8th edition TNM classification. A systematic review of the literature reported between 2013 and 2019 in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus was conducted. Studies were included if (1) original clinical studies, (2) ≥50 NPC patients, and (3) analyses on the association between prognostic factors and overall survival.

Immune-Related Endocrine Dysfunctions in Combined Modalities of Treatment: Real-World Data.

The number of immune-related endocrine dysfunctions (irEDs) has concurrently increased with the widespread use of immunotherapy in clinical practice and further expansion of the approved indications for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in cancer management. A retrospective analysis was conducted on consecutive patients ≥18 years of age with advanced solid malignancies who had received at least one dose of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) and/or anti-CTLA4 antibodies between January 2014 and December 2019 at a university hospital in Hong Kong. Patients were reviewed up to two months after the last administration of an ICI.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in Cancer Patients in Hong Kong: Approaches to Improve the Vaccination Rate.

Unlabelled: Emerging efficacy and safety data have led to the authorization of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, but most trials excluded patients with active malignancies. This study evaluates the intended acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients in Hong Kong.

Methods: 660 adult cancer patients received a survey, in paper or electronic format, between 31 January 2021 and 15 February 2021.

Integrated palliative medicine in public oncology: a 10-year review.

Objectives: The rapid ageing population of Hong Kong has a high demand on oncology and palliative care (PC) service. This study was the first territory-wide assessment in Hong Kong to assess the palliative service coverage in patients with advanced cancer in the past decade.

Methods: Cancer deaths of all 43 public hospitals of Hong Kong were screened.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Asian Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Survivors.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for differentiated thyroid cancer survivors, but data for Asian survivors is lacking. This study aimed to have an overview of, and identify any disease-or treatment-related factors associated with, HRQoL in Asian differentiated thyroid cancer survivors.

Patients And Methods: Thyroid cancer survivors were recruited from the thyroid clinics at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from February 2016 to December 2016.

The Most Efficacious Induction Chemotherapy Regimen for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for non-metastatic locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has gained considerable attention. However, the most efficacious IC regimens remain investigational. We aimed to compare the survival benefits of all available IC regimens followed by CCRT in this network meta-analysis.

First-Line Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab versus Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Background: The IMbrave 150 trial revealed that atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezo-bev) improves survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (1 year survival rate: 67.2% vs. 54.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of three induction chemotherapy regimens with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP), cisplatin plus fluorouracil (PF) and cisplatin plus capecitabine (PX) for locoregionally advanced previously untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A pooled analysis of two prospective studies.

Purpose: We compared, in this pooled analysis, the differences in efficacy and safety between three induction chemotherapy regimens including gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP), cisplatin plus fluorouracil (PF) and cisplatin plus capecitabine (PX) in patients recruited into our two prospective studies for previously untreated locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: GP, PF or PX followed by radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy was given to patients with previously untreated locoregionally advanced (stage III to IVA) NPC prospectively recruited into our two prospective studies. The study endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and major acute and late treatment-related toxicities (grade ≥ 3).

Cost-effectiveness of Pembrolizumab as a Second-Line Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Importance: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for use as a second-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who previously received sorafenib. Pembrolizumab has shown substantial antitumor activity and a favorable toxicity profile as a second-line treatment of HCC. However, considering the high cost of pembrolizumab, there is a need to assess its value by considering both the clinical efficacy and cost.

Prognostication of Half-Life Clearance of Plasma EBV DNA in Previously Untreated Non-metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Radical Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy.

The prognostic role of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA clearance when intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM Staging Classification are fully implemented remains undeciphered. We investigated if its half-life clearance during radical treatment for non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was an early prognosticator. Patients with previously untreated non-metastatic NPC were prospectively treated with radical IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy +/- induction/adjuvant chemotherapy from 2014 to 2018.

Literature Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs-Induced Liver Injury From an Oncological Perspective With RUCAM.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs are commonly regarded to be safe with minimal toxicities in Chinese communities. Cancer patients who are receiving Western oncology therapy often concurrently take TCM herbs for anticancer and symptom relief purposes. We performed a literature review for current evidence on TCM herb-induced liver injury from an oncological perspective.

Prediction of survival in patients with symptomatic spinal metastases: Comparison between the Tokuhashi score and expert oncologists.

Background: Existing scoring systems have suboptimal accuracy in prognosticating patients with spinal metastases. Currently, there is no superior method in predicting survival. This study aims to compare the accuracy of survival prediction by expert oncologists versus the revised Tokuhashi scores with actual survivals in a cohort of symptomatic spinal metastases patients.