Quality of life in early breast cancer patients after adjuvant accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) in randomized trial.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) represents a valid option for adjuvant therapy of selected early breast cancer (BC). This single-institution prospective randomized study compares the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between women treated with the highly conformal-external beam APBI technique and those with the more commonly used moderately hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (hypo-WBI). Eligible patients were women over 50 years with early BC (G1/2 DCIS ≤ 25 mm or G1/2 invasive non-lobular luminal-like HER2 negative carcinoma ≤ 20 mm) after breast-conserving surgery with negative margins.

Early changes of peripheral circulating immune subsets induced by PD-1 inhibitors in patients with advanced malignant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including those targeting PD-1, are currently used in a wide range of tumors, but only 20-40% of patients achieve clinical benefit. The objective of our study was to find predictive peripheral blood-based biomarkers for ICI treatment.

Methods: In 41 patients with advanced malignant melanoma (MM) and NSCLC treated with PD-1 inhibitors, we analyzed peripheral blood-based immune subsets by flow cytometry before treatment initialization and the second therapy dose.

Trends in the treatment of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma in Slovakia.

The optimal treatment of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently a subject of clinical research. This questionnaire study investigated current trends in the treatment of HPV-associated (HPV+) OPC in Slovakia with the incorporation of deintensification of oncological treatment into routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials. The Slovak Cooperative Head and Neck Cancer Group (SCHNCG) developed a questionnaire aimed at identifying trends in the oncological treatment of HPV+ OPC intended for all radiation oncology (RO) facilities in Slovakia.

Adjuvant radiotherapy after brain metastasectomy: analysis of consecutive cohort of 118 patients from real world practice.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze a consecutive cohort of brain metastasis (BM) patients treated off clinical trials through combination of surgery and radiotherapy over the last 15 years in a tertiary neurooncology center.

Materials And Methods: All BM patients operated between 2007-2019 received adjuvant linac-based radiotherapy categorized to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and tumor bed stereotactic radiotherapy. Survival outcomes and local control was analyzed.

Hippocampal subfield volumetric changes after radiotherapy for brain metastases.

Background: Changes in the hippocampus after brain metastases radiotherapy can significantly impact neurocognitive functions. Numerous studies document hippocampal atrophy correlating with the radiation dose. This study aims to elucidate volumetric changes in patients undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or targeted stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and to explore volumetric changes in the individual subregions of the hippocampus.

Challenges with hippocampal MR spectroscopy as a surrogate for pre-radiotherapy assessment of neurocognitive impairment in patients with brain metastasis.

Aim: Patients with multiple brain metastases (BM) benefit from hippocampal-avoiding whole brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT), the challenging and less available form of WBRT. This study explores potential of pre-radiotherapy (pre-RT) hippocampal magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measuring hippocampal neuronal density as an imaging surrogate and predictive tool for assessing neurocognitive functions (NCF).

Methods: 43 BM patients underwent pre-RT hippocampal MRS.

Treatment and Prognosis of Male Breast Cancer: A Multicentric, Retrospective Study Over 11 Years in the Czech Republic.

Purpose: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare, but increasingly common disease, and lacks prospective studies. Collaborative efforts are needed to understand and address MBC, including its prognosis, in different countries.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, histopathological, and molecular-genetic characteristics, treatments, and survival outcomes of MBC diagnosed between 2007 and 2017 in the Czech Republic.

Toxicity of external beam accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) in adjuvant therapy of early-stage breast cancer: prospective randomized study.

Background: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an alternative breast-conserving therapy approach where radiation is delivered in less time compared to whole breast irradiation (WBI), resulting in improved patient convenience, less toxicity, and cost savings. This prospective randomized study compares the external beam APBI with commonly used moderate hypofractionated WBI in terms of feasibility, safety, tolerance, and cosmetic effects.

Methods: Early breast cancer patients after partial mastectomy were equally randomized into two arms- external APBI and moderate hypofractionated WBI.

Emergency medicine pharmacotherapy compromises accuracy of plasma creatinine determination by enzyme-based methods: real-world clinical evidence and implications for clinical practice.

Background: Assessment of kidney function in emergency settings is essential across all medical subspecialties. Daily assessment of patient creatinine results from emergency medical services showed that some deviated from expected values, implying drug-related interference.

Methods: Real-time clinical evaluation of an enzyme method (Roche CREP2) in comparison with the Jaffé gen.

Chromosome damage in regions with different levels of air pollution.

Air pollution is an important environmental factor influencing human health. In this study, we compared chromosome damage in city policemen from three cities in the Czech Republic: industrial Ostrava characterized by high levels of benzo[a]pyrene, Prague with heavy traffic emitting nitrogen oxides, and relatively clean Ceske Budejovice located in an area with predominantly agricultural activity. Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization with painting probes for chromosomes 1, 2, 3, and 4 in spring and autumn.

Comparison of 3 Different Systems for Non-wire Localization of Lesions in Breast Cancer Surgery.

Purpose: Localizing breast lesions by marking tumors and their detection using probes during surgery is a common part of clinical practice. Various nonwire localization systems were intended to be compared from different perspectives.

Methods: Various measurement experiments were performed.

FoxP3 Expression in Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes as Potential Predictor of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Advanced Melanoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are the main therapy currently used in advanced malignant melanoma (MM) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the wide variety of uses, the possibility of predicting ICI efficacy in these tumor types is scarce. The aim of our study was to find new predictive biomarkers for ICI treatment.

Identification of AGR2 Gene-Specific Expression Patterns Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

The TGF-β signaling pathway is involved in numerous cellular processes, and its deregulation may result in cancer development. One of the key processes in tumor progression and metastasis is epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which TGF-β signaling plays important roles. Recently, AGR2 was identified as a crucial component of the cellular machinery responsible for maintaining the epithelial phenotype, thereby interfering with the induction of mesenchymal phenotype cells by TGF-β effects in cancer.

Biomarker Dynamics and Long-Term Treatment Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients with Residual Cancer Burden after Neoadjuvant Therapy.

A residual cancer burden after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer (BC) is associated with worse treatment outcomes compared to patients who achieved pathologic complete remission. This single-institutional retrospective study of 767 consecutive patients, including 468 patients with assessable residual cancer burden (aRCB) after NAT, with a median follow-up of 36 months, evaluated the biomarkers assessed before NAT from a biopsy and after NAT from a surgical specimen, their dynamics, and effect on long-term outcomes in specific breast cancer subtypes. The leading focus was on proliferation index Ki-67, which was significantly altered by NAT in all BC subtypes (p < 0.

Sunitinib-Induced Elevation of Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)-Exploring Its Possible Clinical Relevance in Cancer Patients.

Sunitinib is a broad-spectrum multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor mainly used as second-line therapy for non-resectable gastrointestinal stromal or first-line treatment option of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and as an "off-label" option in pediatric oncology. It has been previously reported that sunitinib elevates the mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes (MCV) in treated subjects. The aim of this study was to assess time-dependent changes of this effect and evaluate its possible clinical relevance.

68Ga-DOTATOC.

The radiopharmaceutical 68Ga-DOTATOC represents the latest radiopharmaceutical in the diagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor with somatostatin receptor overexpression. Technological and economic difficulties of preparing and quality control of the radiopharmaceutical limit its use to specialised departments. Background of the department with rich experience with radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography allows handling more difficult 68Ga-radiopharmacy and may increase and improve the care of oncology patients.

PET/CT-tailored treatment of locally advanced oesophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma: a report on the feasibility of the multicenter GastroPET study.

Background: Perioperative chemotherapy is a recommended treatment approach for localised oesophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma, but not all patients respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Early identification of non-responders and treatment adaptation in the preoperative period could improve outcomes. GastroPET is a national, multicentre phase II trial evaluating a FDG-PET/CT-guided preoperative treatment strategy with the R0 resection rate as a primary endpoint.

Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma Modified by PET/CT: Results of Virtual Planning Study.

: The treatment of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma consists of either perioperative chemotherapy or preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Radiotherapy (RT) in the neoadjuvant setting is associated with a higher probability of resections with negative margins (R0) and better tumor regression rate, which might be enhanced by incrementing RT dose with potential impact on treatment results. This virtual planning study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing the dose to GEJ tumor and involved nodes using PET/CT imaging.

Drug interaction profile of TKI alectinib allows effective and safe treatment of ALK+ lung cancer in the kidney transplant recipient.

ALK targeting with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a highly potent treatment option for the therapy of ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, pharmacokinetics of TKIs leads to clinically significant drug interactions, and the interfering co-medication may hamper the anti-cancer therapeutic management. Here, we present for the first time a drug interaction profile of ALK-TKIs, crizotinib and alectinib, and immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A in kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Evaluation of Early Clinical Response, Pathological Complete Response Rates, and Addition of Platinum Salts Benefit Based on Real-World Evidence.

Pathological complete response (pCR) achievement is undoubtedly the essential goal of neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer, directly affecting survival endpoints. This retrospective study of 237 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with a median follow-up of 36 months evaluated the role of adding platinum salts into standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). After the initial four standard NACT cycles, early clinical response (ECR) was assessed and used to identify tumors and patients generally sensitive to NACT.

Effect of Acupuncture in Pain Management of Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy: Prospective Randomized Unicentric Study.

This prospective randomized open-label trial aimed to evaluate the role of acupuncture in the treatment of pain related to curative and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Patients in two arms (30 patients in each arm) underwent standard oncology therapy and standard supportive care with or without acupuncture. The stratification factors were the type of treatment and chemotherapy indication.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Lymph Node Oligometastases: Real-World Evidence From 90 Consecutive Patients.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of extracranial stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in the treatment of oligometastatic lymph node involvement in the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or pelvis, in a consecutive group of patients from real clinical practice outside clinical trials.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 90 patients with a maximum of four oligometastases and various primary tumors (the most common being colorectal cancers). The endpoints were local control of treated metastases (LC), freedom from widespread dissemination (FFWD), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and freedom from systemic treatment (FFST).

Interpretive discrepancies caused by target values inter-batch variations in chemiluminescence immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG by MAGLUMI.

Plasma specimens from coronavirus disease 2019 patients were double-tested for anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies by two different batches of MAGLUMI 2019-nCov immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G (IgM/IgG) assays to evaluate IgM/IgG levels, qualitative interpretation, antibody kinetics, and linearity of diluted specimen. Here we show that (i) high-level IgM specimens need to be diluted with negative human plasma but not kit diluents and (ii) measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG concentrations are substantially higher with later marketed immunoassay batch leading to (iii) the change of qualitative interpretation (positive vs. negative) in 12.

Pre-Radiotherapy Progression after Surgery of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: Corroboration of New Prognostic Variable.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the incidence, localization, and potential predictors of rapid early progression (REP) prior to initiation of radiotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients and to compare survival outcomes in cohorts with or without REP in relation to the treatment.

Methods: We assessed a consecutive cohort of 155 patients with histologically confirmed irradiated glioblastoma from 1/2014 to 12/2017. A total of 90 patients with preoperative, postoperative, and planning MRI were analyzed.