Genetic Heterogeneity of MET-Aberrant NSCLC and Its Impact on the Outcome of Immunotherapy.

Introduction: Robust data on the outcome of MET-aberrant NSCLC with nontargeted therapies are limited, especially in consideration of the heterogeneity of MET-amplified tumors (METamp).

Methods: A total of 337 tumor specimens of patients with MET-altered Union for International Cancer Control stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were analyzed using next-generation sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. The evaluation focused on the type of MET aberration, co-occurring mutations, programmed death-ligand 1 expression, and overall survival (OS).

K-ras Mutation Subtypes in NSCLC and Associated Co-occuring Mutations in Other Oncogenic Pathways.

Introduction: Although KRAS mutations in NSCLC have been considered mutually exclusive driver mutations for a long time, there is now growing evidence that KRAS-mutated NSCLC represents a genetically heterogeneous subgroup. We sought to determine genetic heterogeneity with respect to cancer-related co-mutations and their correlation with different KRAS mutation subtypes.

Methods: Diagnostic samples from 4507 patients with NSCLC were analyzed by next-generation sequencing by using a panel of 14 genes and, in a subset of patients, fluorescence in situ hybridization.

[Community-acquired pneumonia].

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infection with a limited spectrum of pathogens. Pneumonias acquired in a hospital or under immunoincompetence are being treated according to different algorithms. The concept of health care associated pneumonia (HCAP) is discarted.

Adult patients with nosocomial pneumonia: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Background: Nosocomial pneumonia is among the most common types of infection in hospitalized patients. The increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in recent years points to the need for an up-to-date clinical guideline.

Methods: An interdisciplinary S3 guideline was created on the basis of a systematic literature review in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, with assessment and grading of the evidence according to the GRADE system.

Determination of benzotriazoles in dishwasher tabs from Germany and estimation of the discharge into German waters.

A method was developed for the determination of benzotriazoles (BTs) in dishwasher tabs. BTs consist of 1H-benzotriazole and/or tolyltriazole, i.e.

Diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of lung infiltrates in febrile neutropenic patients: Guidelines of the infectious diseases working party of the German Society of Haematology and Oncology.

Patients with neutropenia lasting for more than 10d, who develop fever and pulmonary infiltrates, are at risk of treatment failure under conventional broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy. Filamentous fungi are predominant causes of failure, however, multi-resistant gram-negative rods such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Stenotrophomonas maltophilia may be involved. Prompt addition of mould-active systemic antifungal therapy, facilitated by early thoracic computed tomography, improves clinical outcome.

[Abbreviated guidelines for prevention, diagnostics, and therapy of nosocomial pneumonia].

Background: Nosocomial pneumonia is a frequent nosocomial infection and the most common one in the intensive care unit. Nosocomial pneumonia is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality and therefore the outcome of patients with this complication becomes worse. Nosocomial infections are within the responsibility of predominantly the treating hospital after introduction of the DRGs also into the German health care system, and the occurrence of a nosocomial infection can also substantially stress the hospital budget.

Diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of pulmonary infiltrates in febrile neutropenic patients--guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Oncology (DGHO).

Patients with severe neutropenia lasting for more than 10 days, who develop fever and pulmonary infiltrates, are at high risk of treatment failure and infection-related death, under conventional broad-spectrum antibiotics. Early supplementation by a systemic antifungal therapy active against Aspergillus spp. has been shown to markedly improve their clinical outcome.

Optimizing ceftazidime pharmacodynamics in patients with acute exacerbation of severe chronic bronchitis.

Objectives: Implementation of current pharmacodynamic knowledge could enhance clinical results, avoid resistance development and reduce treatment costs. In this open, randomized, multicentre study, we evaluated the clinical and bacteriological outcome and pharmacokinetic as well as pharmacodynamic parameters of two ceftazidime therapy regimens in patients with acute exacerbation of severe chronic bronchitis (AECB).

Methods: Eighty-one patients (56 males, 25 females, age 65.

[Physical and technical quality assurance and radiation protection in transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy with 125-iodine seeds].

Background: Early stage prostate cancer can be treated successfully by interstitial brachytherapy with 125-iodine seeds. A quality-assurance programme is presented that was designed for this purpose for internal clinical use. Furthermore the requirements of the new German Ordinance Governing Radiation Protection (StrlSchV) that came into force on August 1, 2001, are taken into account.

[Optimal intravascular brachytherapy: safety and radiation protection, reliability and precision guaranteed by guidelines, recommendations and regulatory requirements].

Background: The success of intravascular brachytherapy relies entirely on the interdisciplinary approach. Interventional cardiologists, radiation oncologists and medical physicists must form a team from day 1. All members of the team need special knowledge and regular training in the field of vascular radiation therapy.