Treatment Terminations During Radiation Therapy: A 10-Year Experience.

Purpose: Patients undergoing radiation therapy may terminate treatment for any number of reasons. The incidence of treatment termination (TT) during radiation therapy has not been studied. Herein, we present a cohort of TT at a large multicenter radiation oncology department over 10 years.

Determining Combined Modality Dosimetric Constraints by Integration of IMRT and LDR Prostate Brachytherapy Dosimetry and Correlation with Toxicity.

Purpose: Intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer patients undergoing combination external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy have demonstrated increased genitourinary (GU) toxicity. We have previously demonstrated a method to combine EBRT and LDR dosimetry. In this work, we use this technique for a sample of patients with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer, correlate with clinical toxicity, and suggest preliminary summed organ-at-risk constraints for future investigation.

Plasma B-Cell Maturation Antigen Levels are Elevated and Correlate with Disease Activity in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy of late B cells. In another late B-cell malignancy (multiple myeloma), levels of solubilized B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) are elevated and predict outcomes.

Objective: We sought to evaluate sBCMA as a possible prognostic factor and monitoring tool for patients with CLL.

JAK1/2 pathway inhibition suppresses M2 polarization and overcomes resistance of myeloma to lenalidomide by reducing TRIB1, MUC1, CD44, CXCL12, and CXCR4 expression.

Monocytes polarize into pro-inflammatory macrophage-1 (M1) or alternative macrophage-2 (M2) states with distinct phenotypes and physiological functions. M2 cells promote tumour growth and metastasis whereas M1 macrophages show anti-tumour effects. We found that M2 cells were increased whereas M1 cells were decreased in bone marrow (BM) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients with progressive disease (PD) compared to those in complete remission (CR).

Moderate hypofractionation and stereotactic body radiation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.

For prostate cancer radiation therapy, daily sessions spanning approximately 2 months has been considered the standard of care for patients managed with curative intent. In recent years, data has emerged which supports the use of higher dose per fraction schemes leading to a reduced duration of treatment. This form of radiation-generally termed moderate hypofractionation or stereotactic body radiation therapy-increasingly appears to be a safe and effective alternative to the conventional course.

The anti-myeloma effects of the selective JAK1 inhibitor (INCB052793) alone and in combination in vitro and in vivo.

The Janus kinase (JAK) pathway has been shown to play key roles in the growth and resistance to drugs that develop in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The anti-MM effects of the selective JAK1 inhibitor INCB052793 (INCB) alone and in combination with anti-MM agents were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Significant inhibition of cell viability of primary MM cells obtained fresh from MM patients, and the MM cell lines RPMI8226 and U266, was observed with single agent INCB and was enhanced in combination with other anti-MM agents including proteasome inhibitors and glucocorticosteroids.

Elotuzumab and dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients: A retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of elotuzumab and dexamethasone (Ed) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients.

Method: This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ed treatment for 21 RRMM patients, 11 of whom were considered lenalidomide-refractory, and all of whom had progressed on at least 1 prior steroid-containing regimen. We also evaluated the efficacy of adding lenalidomide to a subset of patients following progression from Ed.

A quantitative analysis of craniopharyngioma cyst expansion during and after radiation therapy and surgical implications.

OBJECTIVE When complete resection of craniopharyngioma is not achievable or the sequelae are prohibitive, limited surgery and radiation therapy have demonstrated excellent local disease control while minimizing treatment-related sequelae. When residual tissue exists, there is a propensity for further cyst development and expansion during and after radiation therapy. This can result in obstructive hydrocephalus, visual changes, and/or clinical decline.

Risk of skin cancer in multiple myeloma patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Immunosuppressed patients are known to have an increased incidence of skin cancer. Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) show impaired immune function. In the past, because of poor survival, the incidence of specific secondary primary malignancies such as skin cancer among these patients was difficult to establish.