Role of quantitative imaging biomarkers in an early FDG-PET/CT for detection of immune-related adverse events in melanoma patients: a prospective study.

Background: To evaluate the role of the novel quantitative imaging biomarker (QIB) SUV of F-FDG uptake extracted from early F-FDG-PET/CT scan at 4 weeks for the detection of immune-related adverse events (rAE) in a cohort of patients with metastatic melanoma (mM) patients receiving immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Patients And Methods: In this prospective non-interventional, one-centre clinical study, patients with mM, receiving ICI treatment, were regularly followed by F-FDG PET/CT. Patients were scanned at baseline, early point at week four (W4), week sixteen (W16) and week thirty-two (W32) after ICI initiation.

Determination of copper and other trace elements in serum samples from patients with biliary tract cancers: prospective noninterventional nonrandomized clinical study protocol.

Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the disease is incurable. Currently used tumor biomarkers have limited diagnostic value for BTCs, so there is an urgent need for sensitive and specific biomarkers for their earlier diagnosis. Deregulation of the homeostasis of trace elements is involved in the carcinogenesis of different cancers, including BTCs.

The five-year KRAS, NRAS and BRAF analysis results and treatment patterns in daily clinical practice in Slovenia in 1 line treatment of metastatic colorectal (mCRC) patients with wild-type tumour (wt) - a real- life data report 2013-2018.

Background: We preformed a Phase IV non-interventional study to assess KRAS, NRAS and BRAF status in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients suitable for 1 line treatment and to evaluate the decisions for 1 line treatment considering the treatment goals in the RAS wild type (wt) patients. The aim of our study was also to evaluate the influence of a waiting period for biomarkers analysis on the start of first-line treatment.

Patients And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed mCRC adenocarcinoma suitable for first-line treatment fulfilling all inclusion criteria were included in the study.

Quantitative imaging biomarkers of immune-related adverse events in immune-checkpoint blockade-treated metastatic melanoma patients: a pilot study.

Purpose: To develop quantitative molecular imaging biomarkers of immune-related adverse event (irAE) development in malignant melanoma (MM) patients receiving immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) imaged with F-FDG PET/CT.

Methods: F-FDG PET/CT images of 58 MM patients treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 ICI were retrospectively analyzed for indication of irAE. Three target organs, most commonly affected by irAE, were considered: bowel, lung, and thyroid.

Gut microbiome and its role in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still one of the most common types of cancer in the world, and the gut microbiome plays an important role in its development. The microbiome is involved in the carcinogenesis, formation and progression of CRC as well as its response to different systemic therapies. The composition of bacterial strains and the influence of geography, race, sex, and diet on the composition of the microbiome serve as important information for screening, early detection and prediction of the treatment outcome of CRC.

Consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) in metastatic colorectal cancer - personalized medicine decision.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. Metastatic disease is still incurable in most of these patients, but the survival rate has improved by treatment with novel systemic chemotherapy and targeted therapy in combination with surgery. New knowledge of its complex heterogeneity in terms of genetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics and microenvironment, including prognostic and clinical characteristics, led to its classification into various molecular subtypes of metastatic CRC, called consensus molecular subtypes (CMS).

Retrospective analysis of treatment-naive Slovenian patients with metastatic melanoma treated with pembrolizumab - real-world experience.

Background Based on recent data from clinical trials, the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab prolongs survival and has a good toxicity profile in patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma. However, the question remains whether these results are transmitted into daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of pembrolizumab in treatment-naive patients with metastatic melanoma in everyday clinical practice in Slovenia and compare it to the results from clinical trials.

Molecular biomarkers and histological parameters impact on survival and response to first- line systemic therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Background Histological parameters of primary tumour and nodal metastases are prognostic factors for survival of operable colorectal (CRC) patients, but not predictive for response rate of systemic therapy. KRAS mutations in codons 12 and 13 were first recognized as a predictive factor for resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. Not all patients with wild-type KRAS (wtKRAS) respond to anti-EGFR antibody treatment.

Prevalence of BRAF, NRAS and c-KIT mutations in Slovenian patients with advanced melanoma.

Background BRAF, NRAS and c-KIT mutations are characteristics of tumour tissues that influence on treatment decisions in metastatic melanoma patients. Mutation frequency and their correlation with histological characteristics in Slovenian population have not been investigated yet. Patients and methods In our retrospective analysis we analysed mutational status of BRAF, NRAS and c-KIT in 230 pathological samples of patients who were intended to be treated with systemic therapy due to metastatic disease at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana between 2013 and 2016.

Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in elderly patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer: single center experience.

Background: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is mainly a disease of elderly, however, geriatric population is underrepresented in clinical trials. Patient registries represent a tool to assess and follow treatment outcomes in this patient population. The aim of the study was with the help of the patients' register to determine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in elderly patients who had previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer.

Bevacizumab and irinotecan in recurrent malignant glioma, a single institution experience.

Background: Treatment options of recurrent malignant gliomas are very limited and with a poor survival benefit. The results from phase II trials suggest that the combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan is beneficial.

Patients And Methods: The medical documentation of 19 adult patients with recurrent malignant gliomas was retrospectively reviewed.

Efficacy of first-line systemic treatment in correlation with BRAF V600E and different KRAS mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer - a single institution retrospective analysis.

Background: KRAS mutation status in codons 12 and 13 is recognized as a predictive factor for resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. Despite having a wild type KRAS (wt-KRAS), not all patients with wt-KRAS respond to anti-EGFR antibody treatment. Additional mechanisms of resistance may activate mutations of the other main EGFR effectors pathway.

Bevacizumab in first-line therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer: a retrospective comparison of FOLFIRI and XELIRI.

Background: The antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody bevacizumab with infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) is a standard first-line treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, clinical data for capecitabine and irinotecan (XELIRI) with bevacizumab are limited.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 139 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to assess the efficacy and safety of first-line bevacizumab in combination with XELIRI or FOLFIRI.

Randomized prospective phase II study to compare the combination chemotherapy regimen epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil with epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the epirubicin, cisplatin, and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (ECF) regimen with that of the epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) regimen in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either the ECF or ECX regimen. The primary end point was the response rate.

Capecitabine plus Irinotecan (XELIRI regimen) compared to 5-FU/LV plus Irinotecan (FOLFIRI regimen) as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with unresectable liver-only metastases of metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomised prospective phase II trial.

Background: Phase II studies have shown that the combination of capecitabine and irinotecan (the XELIRI regimen) is active in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). There are, however, no data about the use of the XELIRI regimen in the neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods: Patients with unresectable liver-only metastases of MCRC with < or = 75 years of age were randomised to either the XELIRI (irinotecan 250 mg/m(2) given on day one and capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) twice daily from day 2-15, every 21 days) or the FOLFIRI arm (irinotecan 180 mg/m(2), 5-FU 400 mg/m(2), LV 200 mg/m(2), 5-FU 2400 mg/m(2) (46-h infusion)--all given on day one, every 14 days).

Electrochemotherapy with cisplatin of cutaneous tumor lesions in breast cancer.

We have evaluated the efficiency of electrochemotherapy with cisplatin on cutaneous tumor lesions of breast cancer and have compared its efficiency with the efficiency of intratumoral (i.t.) administration of cisplatin alone.