Serum Biomarkers to Dynamically Predict the Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients under Oncologic Therapy. A Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: Serum biomarkers have been investigated as predictive risk factors for cancer-related cardiovascular (CV) risk, but their analysis is limited to their baseline level rather than their overtime change. Besides historically validated causal factors, inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) related markers seem to be correlated to CV events but this association needs to be further explored. We conducted an observational study to determine the predictive role of the longitudinal changes of commonly used and OS-related biomarkers during the cancer treatment period.

Everolimus plus aromatase inhibitors as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy: Final results of the phase III randomised MAIN-A (MAINtenance Afinitor) trial.

Background: Despite endocrine therapy being the mainstay of treatment for hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, patients at risk of visceral crisis or doubt for endocrine sensitivity are still offered first-line chemotherapy. Maintenance hormonal therapy is generally offered at the discontinuation of chemotherapy. The MAINtenance Afinitor study is a randomised, phase III trial comparing maintenance everolimus combined with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) versus AI monotherapy in patients with disease control after first-line chemotherapy.

Docetaxel rechallenge in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: any place in the modern treatment scenario? An intention to treat evaluation.

Background: We evaluated the possible advantages of a docetaxel (DCT) rechallenge strategy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients, also given the possible earlier positioning of this treatment option in the modern scenario.

Patients & Methods: All mCRPC patients planned for DCT chemotherapy rechallenge in our institutions were evaluated.

Results: Of 128 patients, 98 achieved disease control on the initial DCT round.

Bevacizumab plus XELOX as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: The OBELIX study.

Aim: To confirm the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab/XELOX combination for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) in Italy.

Methods: This multicentric, prospective, open-label study included patients with CRC previously untreated with chemotherapy. Patients were administered bevacizumab in combination with XELOX.

Safety and antitumor efficacy of (153)Sm-EDTMP and docetaxel administered sequentially to patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Background: Bone metastases are responsible for most of the morbidity associated with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals have been approved for palliation of painful skeletal metastases, but their clinical use is limited by concerns of toxicities both when administered alone and especially when combined with chemotherapy agents.

Objective: We investigated whether docetaxel administered to mCRPC patients after treatment with samarium-153-labeled ethylene-diamine-tetra-methylene-phosphonic acid (Sm-EDTMP) has increased toxicity and/or reduced antitumor efficacy.

Cytochrome 450 1B1 (CYP1B1) polymorphisms associated with response to docetaxel in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) patients.

Background: The selection of patients according to key genetic characteristics may help to tailor chemotherapy and optimize the treatment in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) patients. Functional polymorphisms within the cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene have been associated with alterations in enzymatic expression and activity and may change sensitivity to the widely used docetaxel regimen.

Methods: CYP1B1 genotyping was performed on blood samples of 60 CRPC patients treated with docetaxel, using TaqMan probes-based assays.

Clinical benefit of bone-targeted radiometabolic therapy with 153Sm-EDTMP combined with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Background: Bone metastases are responsible for most of the morbidity associated with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). 153Sm-ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonate (153Sm-EDTMP) has been approved for palliation of painful skeletal metastases. We retrospectively investigated the possible synergistic effect on survival of 153Sm-EDTMP (given to HRPC patients for bone pain palliation) and chemotherapy.

Penile metastasis from primary transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis: first manifestation of systemic spread.

Background: Almost one-third of all penile metastases are detected at the same time as a primary tumor, whereas the remaining two-thirds are detected a mean of 18 months after the discovery of the primary tumor. Cutaneous metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is extremely rare and generally accepted as the late manifestation of a systemic spread.

Case Presentation: We report the first case of simultaneous penile and lung metastases from a primary TCC of the renal pelvis in a 76-year-old man, that occurred 8 years after a left nephroureterectomy.