Prognostic impact of early ctDNA dynamics during chemotherapy of metastatic cancer.

Clinical utility of the dynamics of ctDNA is sparse. This study aimed at evaluating the prognostic impact of early ctDNA dynamics in patients with metastatic cancer treated with chemotherapy. The ctDNA dynamics were evaluated in 595 patients with metastatic cancer using droplet digital PCR.

Prognostic Impact of Circulating Methylated Homeobox A9 DNA in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.

Methylated Homeobox A9 circulating tumor DNA (meth-HOXA9) has been suggested as a blood-based biomarker in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), although its prognostic significance remains unproven. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of meth-HOXA9 in patients with recurrent EOC. DNA was purified from 4 mL plasma and, following bilsulfite conversion, meth-HOXA9 was analyzed using a methylation-specific droplet digital PCR.

Differences in Administration of Methotrexate and Impact on Outcome in Low-Risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.

Methotrexate (MTX) is frequently used as first-line treatment for low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Intravenous and intramuscular (im) routes of administration are the most common methods, although oral administration is used by some Scandinavian centers. The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of form of administration (im/oral) on resistance to methotrexate (MTX-R) treatment in low-risk GTN.

HOXA9-methylated DNA as a diagnostic biomarker of ovarian malignancy.

In ovarian cancer, methylated HOXA9 (meth-HOXA9) has been proposed as a relevant biomarker, however, its role in the carcinogenic development remains unknown. This study aimed at evaluating meth-HOXA9 as a diagnostic biomarker in ovarian cancer. The meth-HOXA9 status was examined in 138 tissue specimens encompassing normal ovaries, benign- and borderline tumors, and ovarian cancer using droplet digital PCR.

Analysis of HOXA9 methylated ctDNA in ovarian cancer using sense-antisense measurement.

DNA promoter methylation is an early event in tumorigenesis and holds promise as a valuable marker in ovarian cancer (OC). It can be measured using circulating tumor specific DNA (ctDNA) isolated from the bloodstream. Sensitivity, however, is a limiting factor of its diagnostic feasibility in OC.

Early ctDNA response to chemotherapy. A potential surrogate marker for overall survival.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare ctDNA response rate and objective response rate as surrogate markers for overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic cancer treated with chemotherapy.

Methods: The study included 420 patients distributed in five cohorts with colorectal, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancer. It represents a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in prospective biomarker studies and clinical trials.

Measurement of dabigatran: previously demonstrated Hemoclot Thrombin Inhibitor assay reagent instability on Sysmex CS-2100i is no longer an issue.

The Hemoclot Thrombin Inhibitor (HTI) assay has been recommended for measurement of dabigatran concentrations in specific clinical situations. Traditionally, reagents for biochemical assays are prepared from instructions found in the package insert. For the HTI reagents the manufacturer recommends incubating the reagents much longer than indicated in the package insert.

Triploidy--Observations in 154 Diandric Cases.

Hydatidiform moles (HMs) are abnormal human pregnancies with vesicular chorionic villi, imposing two clinical challenges; miscarriage and a risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). The parental type of most HMs are either diandric diploid (PP) or diandric triploid (PPM). We consecutively collected 154 triploid or near-triploid samples from conceptuses with vesicular chorionic villi.

A 30-year experience in using oral methotrexate as initial treatment for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia regardless of risk group.

Background: Treatment of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is often stratified according to FIGO score using methotrexate (MTX) for low-risk patients and first-line multi-agent chemotherapy (e.g. EMA-CO) for high-risk patients.