The Safety and Suitability of DNA Sequencing of Tissue Biopsies Performed on Patients Referred to a Phase I Unit.

Background: Early-phase clinical trials offer a unique opportunity for patients with cancer. These trials often mandate biopsies to collect tumor tissue for research purposes, requiring patients to undergo invasive procedures. Some trials mandate molecular prescreening, but the success of these analyses relies on the quality and quantity of the tested materials.

Metastasis-directed stereotactic radiotherapy and systemic treatment continuation for patients with oligoprogressive metastatic breast cancer.

Background: About 15-20 % of patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) can experience oligoprogressive disease (OPD) in ≤ 5 sites of disease. Patients with OPD may benefit from metastasis-directed stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) to all sites of cancer progression while maintaining the same systemic treatment, aiming to prolong the time to next systemic treatment (NEST). This study aims to assess the outcomes provided by this multimodal strategy.

Germline BRCA pathogenic variants and hematologic adverse events in patients with ovarian carcinoma receiving PARP inhibitors: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with a germline BRCA pathogenic variant (gBRCA-PV) and advanced high grade ovarian carcinoma (aHGOC) experience higher hematologic adverse events (HAEs) when receiving platinum salts and ionizing radiations, compared to non-carriers, due to a possible higher susceptibility of the hemopoietic stem cells to DNA targeting agents. However, the incidence of PARP inhibitor (PARPi)-related HAEs according to the gBRCA-PV status is currently unknown.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study to describe the occurrence of HAEs in patients with aHGOC receiving ≥8 weeks of maintenance PARPi in any line of therapy, comparing gBRCA-PVs carriers to non-carriers.

Molecular tumor board in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Comprehensive genomic profiling is becoming increasingly important in the management of patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Real-world clinical outcomes from applying molecular tumor boards (MTBs) recommendations in this context remain limited. Accordingly, we conducted a retrospective, single-institution analysis to evaluate the clinical impact of discussing patients affected by mBC at the MTB.

Germline BRCA pathogenic variants in patients with ovarian cancer and post-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor myeloid neoplasms.

Background: Among patients with advanced high-grade ovarian carcinoma (aHGOC) treated with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPis), the presence of a germline BRCA pathogenic variant (gBRCA-PV) may increase the risk of bone marrow mutagenesis resulting in postcytotoxic therapy myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS-pCT) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML-pCT), as it is expressed in heterozygosity also by hematopoietic progenitors. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of post-PARPi MDSs/AMLs-pCTs according to gBRCA-PV status.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study to evaluate MDS/AML-pCT in patients with aHGOC and a known gBRCA-PV status receiving at least 8 weeks of maintenance PARPi, in any line of therapy, from February 2017 to December 2022.

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLCs) Harboring RET Gene Fusion, from Their Discovery to the Advent of New Selective Potent RET Inhibitors: "Shadows and Fogs".

RET fusions are relatively rare in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLCs), being around 1-2% of all NSCLCs. They share the same clinical features as the other fusion-driven NSCLC patients, as follows: younger age, adenocarcinoma histology, low exposure to tobacco, and high risk of spreading to the brain. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy have a low impact on the prognosis of these patients.

Interstitial lung disease in patients enrolled in early-phase clinical trials: the ILDE study.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders sharing pathophysiological inflammatory mechanisms, leading to parenchymal distortions. The prevalence of ILD with new cancer drugs is underreported: the identification of potential determinants is priority.

Materials And Methods: ILDE is a retrospective study aimed at describing the clinical course and potential determinants of ILD in patients receiving experimental treatments.

Biomarkers for Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors.

The clinical development and then the progressive entry in clinical practice of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) have marked a transformative advancement in the overall cancer treatment. ADCs have been extensively tested for a large number of tumors, reporting heterogeneous clinical efficacy and safety results. In some diseases, the advent of ADCs has yielded significant changes in the prognostic trajectory, portending an improvement of the survival and/or quality of life.

A comprehensive update of hormone-related pharmacokinetic variations associated with breast cancer drugs.

Introduction: Drugs available for the treatment of breast cancer are increasing, yielding improved oncological outcomes. The efficacy and safety of anticancer drugs significantly depend on pharmacokinetic profiles, which could be influenced by several factors, such as sex hormones.

Areas Covered: This article discusses the potential hormone-related pharmacokinetic influences on novel breast cancer pharmacotherapies.