Effect of vaginal douching with normal saline before insertion of dinoprostone vaginal insert for labor induction.

Objective: Vaginal pH has been suggested to be one of the causative factors, responsible for variation in prostaglandin efficacy for induction of labour. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of vaginal douching with normal saline before insertion of dinoprostone vaginal insert for induction of labour.

Methods: This randomised controlled study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for a period of 1 year.

Determinants of tumor treating field usage in patients with primary glioblastoma: A single institutional experience.

Background: Determinates of tumor treating fields (TTFields) usage in patients receiving combined modality therapy for primary IDH wild-type glioblastoma are currently unknown.

Methods: Ninety-one patients underwent maximal debulking surgical resection, completed external beam radiotherapy with concurrent Temozolomide (TMZ), and initiated adjuvant TMZ with or without TTFields. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient, tumor, and treatment-related factors that affected TTFields usage.

Molecular alterations associated with improved outcome in patients with glioblastoma treated with Tumor-Treating Fields.

Background: The genomic and overall biologic landscape of glioblastoma (GB) has become clearer over the past 2 decades, as predictive and prognostic biomarkers of both de novo and transformed forms of GB have been identified. The oral chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ) has been integral to standard-of-care treatment for nearly 2 decades. More recently, the use of non-pharmacologic interventions, such as application of alternating electric fields, called Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields), has emerged as a complementary treatment option that increases overall survival (OS) in patients with newly diagnosed GB.

Identifying the optimal cutoff point for MGMT promoter methylation status in glioblastoma.

To define the optimal cutoff point for determining methylation status of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) by pyrosequencing in glioblastoma.  A retrospective study of 109 glioblastoma patients was performed to determine the optimal cutoff point for MGMT methylation status. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed 21% as the optimal cutoff (sensitivity: 68%; specificity: 59%) for MGMT methylation corresponding with the highest likelihood ratio of 1.

Gliosarcoma vs. glioblastoma: a retrospective case series using molecular profiling.

Background: Gliosarcoma (GS) refers to the presence of mesenchymal differentiation (as seen using light microscopy) in the setting of glioblastoma (GB, an astrocytoma, WHO Grade 4). Although the same approach to treatment is typically adopted for GS and GB, there remains some debate as to whether GS should be considered a discrete pathological entity. Differences between these tumors have not been clearly established at the molecular level.

Mutations as a Driver of Metastasis Signaling in Advanced Cancer Patients.

Molecular profiling with next generation sequencing (NGS) delivers key information on mutant gene sequences, copy number alterations, gene-fusions, and with immunohistochemistry (IHC), is a valuable tool in clinical decision making for patients entering investigational agent trials. Our objective was to elucidate mutational profiles from primary versus metastatic sites from advanced cancer patients to guide rational therapy. All phase I patients ( = 203) with advanced cancer were profiled by commercially available NGS platforms.

Central Nervous System Cancers, Version 3.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The NCCN Guidelines for Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers focus on management of adult CNS cancers ranging from noninvasive and surgically curable pilocytic astrocytomas to metastatic brain disease. The involvement of an interdisciplinary team, including neurosurgeons, radiation therapists, oncologists, neurologists, and neuroradiologists, is a key factor in the appropriate management of CNS cancers. Integrated histopathologic and molecular characterization of brain tumors such as gliomas should be standard practice.

Primary CNS lymphoma commonly expresses immune response biomarkers.

Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is rare and there is limited genomic and immunological information available. Incidental clinical and radiographic responses have been reported in PCNSL patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Materials And Methods: To genetically characterize and ascertain if the majority of PCNSL patients may potentially benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors, we profiled 48 subjects with PCNSL from 2013 to 2018 with (1) next-generation sequencing to detect mutations, gene amplifications, and microsatellite instability (MSI); (2) RNA sequencing to detect gene fusions; and (3) immunohistochemistry to ascertain PD-1 and PD-L1 expression.

Tumor Mutational Burden Is Site Specific in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Is Highest in Lung Adenocarcinoma Brain Metastases.

Purpose: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a developing biomarker in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Little is known regarding differences between TMB and sample location, histology, or other biomarkers.

Methods: A total of 3,424 unmatched NSCLC samples, including 2,351 lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) and 1,073 lung squamous cell carcinomas (LUSCs), underwent profiling, including next-generation sequencing of 592 cancer-related genes, programmed death ligand 1 immunohistochemistry, and TMB.

Integration of Tumor-Treating Fields into the Multidisciplinary Management of Patients with Solid Malignancies.

Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are a noninvasive antimitotic cancer treatment consisting of low-intensity alternating electric fields delivered to the tumor or tumor bed via externally applied transducer arrays. In multiple in vitro and in vivo cancer cell lines, TTFields therapy inhibits cell proliferation, disrupts cell division, interferes with cell migration and invasion, and reduces DNA repair. Human trials in patients with primary glioblastoma showed an improvement in overall survival, and trials in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma showed favorable outcomes compared with historical control.

Phase I study of samalizumab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma: blockade of the immune checkpoint CD200.

Purpose: Samalizumab is a novel recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD200, an immunoregulatory cell surface member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that dampens excessive immune responses and maintains self-tolerance. This first-in-human study investigated the therapeutic use of samalizumab as a CD200 immune checkpoint inhibitor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM).

Experimental Design: Twenty-three patients with advanced CLL and 3 patients with MM were enrolled in an open-label phase 1 study (NCT00648739).

Correction to: Genomic landscape of small cell carcinoma of the breast contrasted to small cell carcinoma of the lung.

In the original publication, the sixth author name was published incorrectly as Matthew Stein. The correct author name should read as Matthew K Stein.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Central Nervous System Cancers, Version 1.2017.

For many years, the diagnosis and classification of gliomas have been based on histology. Although studies including large populations of patients demonstrated the prognostic value of histologic phenotype, variability in outcomes within histologic groups limited the utility of this system. Nonetheless, histology was the only proven and widely accessible tool available at the time, thus it was used for clinical trial entry criteria, and therefore determined the recommended treatment options.

Genomic alterations in neuroendocrine cancers of the ovary.

Background: As we have previously reported, small cell carcinoma of the ovary (SCCO) is a rare, aggressive form of ovarian cancer associated with poor outcomes. In an effort to identify new treatment options, we utilized comprehensive genomic profiling to assess the potential for novel therapies in SCCO.

Methods: Patients with SCCO, SCCO-HT (hypercalcemic type), neuroendocrine tumors of the ovary (NET-O), and small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC) profiled by Caris Life Sciences between 2007-2015 were identified.

Role of Genomic Instability in Immunotherapy with Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Aim: We evaluated whether tumor genome sequencing to detect the number and type of alterations could be used as a valuable biomarker for judging the potential utility of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced cancers.

Materials And Methods: We identified patients with solid tumors who were treated with checkpoint inibitors and had received commercially available next generation sequencing (NGS). Tumors profiled by Caris Life Sciences, Foundation Medicine and Guardant360 between 2013 and 2015.

Genomic landscape of small cell carcinoma of the breast contrasted to small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Small cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer that is associated with extremely poor outcomes [1]. In an effort to identify possible targets for treatment, we utilized comprehensive genomic profiling in small cell carcinoma of the breast. Under an IRB approved protocol, we identified patients with small cell carcinoma of the breast and small cell carcinoma of the lung profiled by Caris Life Sciences between 2007 and 2015.

Grade and Prognosis in Localized Primary Angiosarcoma.

Background: Primary angiosarcoma of the breast (PAOB) is rare and institutional series have provided conflicting data on the effect of grade on prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Using a case listing session of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 (1973-2010) we examined outcomes for patients with PAOB. Analyses were conducted with SEER*Stat 8.

Cancer Survivorship and Models of Survivorship Care: A Review.

There are over 13 million cancer survivors in the United States. This is heterogenous group in age, cultural background, and cancer history and also in regards to the natural history of their cancer survivorship. There are "seasons of survivorship" including acute, transitional, extended, permanent, and chronic in which the medical and psychosocial problems and needs of cancer survivors change.

Primary Angiosarcoma of the Breast: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Angiosarcoma of the breast (ASB) is a rare but aggressive tumor with very poor prognosis. It is important to recognize this tumor early and to distinguish between primary and secondary ASB. While mammograms frequently miss these lesions, ultrasound and MRI show promise as imaging modalities.

Monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics in human malignancies.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a proven effective therapeutic modality in human malignancy. Several mAbs are approved to targets critical in aberrant oncogenic signaling within tumors and their microenvironment. These targets include secreted ligands (e.

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: a less known interaction.

A 57-year-old woman with a left frontal lobe tumor was started on seizure prophylaxis with phenytoin and dexamethasone while awaiting elective surgery for tumor excision. Within a week, she developed a rash all over her body secondary to phenytoin hypersensitivity and her platelet counts decreased progressively to as low as 20,000/μl. Phenytoin was discontinued and she was given intravenous immunoglobulin for 2 days.