Effects of Eribulin on the RNA Content of Extracellular Vesicles Released by Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid particles secreted by almost all human cells into the extracellular space. They perform the essential function of cell-to-cell communication, and their role in promoting breast cancer progression has been well demonstrated. It is known that EVs released by triple-negative and highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells treated with paclitaxel, a microtubule-targeting agent (MTA), promoted chemoresistance in EV-recipient cells.

The role of angiogenetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms in thymic malignancies and thymic benign lesions.

Background: We previously showed that selected single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in angiogenesis influence the aggressiveness of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). This study analyzes their role in TETs and in thymic benign lesions, in order to investigate potential correlation with risk and outcome.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of 92 patients, undergoing surgery at our Institution.

Hyponatremia is a Predictor of Clinical Outcome for Resected Biliary Tract Cancers: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: Biliary tract cancers (BTC) include both gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, both of which have a poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the main clinical prognostic factors in this setting and to assess their impact on overall survival (OS).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data collected on 64 patients with BTC who underwent surgery with radical intent at our institution.

Prognostic relevance of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 pathway in thymic malignancies with combined immunohistochemical and biomolecular approach.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate Programmed cell Death protein 1 (PD-1) and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and their mRNA expression in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs).

Research Design And Methods: We analyzed 68 samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (63 thymomas and 5 thymic carcinomas). PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR.

Pre-treatment systemic immune-inflammation represents a prognostic factor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in pathogenesis, development and progression of lung cancer. The aim of the study is to assess the prognostic role of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), obtained by analyzing the neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts, and to design prognostic models for patients receiving first-line chemo- or targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We conducted an analysis on 311 patients with advanced NSCLC, treated with first line chemo- or targeted therapy till June 2015 at our Institution.

Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion in cancer patients: results of the first multicenter Italian study.

Background: Hyponatremia in cancer patients is often caused by the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). The aim of this observational multicenter study was to analyze the medical and economic implications of SIADH in this setting.

Methods: This study included 90 oncological patients from 28 Italian institutions that developed SIADH between January 2010 and September 2015.

Hyponatremia normalization as an independent prognostic factor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with first-line therapy.

The aim of the study was to assess, for the first time, the prognostic role of hyponatremia and sodium normalization in patients receiving first-line chemo- or targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Four hundred thirty-three patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer were treated with first line chemo- or targeted therapy between 2006 and 2015 at our institutions. Patients were stratified in two groups, with or without hyponatremia (group A and B, respectively).

Hormonal receptors in lung adenocarcinoma: expression and difference in outcome by sex.

Background: Lung cancer seems to have different epidemiological, biomolecular and clinical characteristics in females than in males, with a better prognosis for women. The aim of the study is to determine gender differences in lung adenocarcinoma in terms of androgen (AR), estrogen (ER)α and progesterone (PgR) receptors expression and their impact on outcome.

Results: Overall survival was significantly better in ERα and in PgR positive lung adenocarcinoma patients (median survival 45 vs.

Risk of Hyponatraemia in Cancer Patients Treated with Targeted Therapies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

Background: Hyponatraemia has been reported with targeted therapies in cancer patients. Aim of the study was to perform an up-to-date meta-analysis in order to determine the incidence and relative risk (RR) in cancer patients treated with these agents.

Materials And Methods: The scientific literature regarding hyponatraemia was extensively reviewed using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases.

Medical treatment for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) represents a various family of rare tumours. Surgery is the first choice in GEP-NENs patients with localized disease whilst in the metastatic setting many other treatment options are available. Somatostatin analogues are indicated for symptoms control in functioning tumours.

Hyponatremia in cancer patients: Time for a new approach.

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in cancer patients. It may be related to cancer, to anti-cancer therapy or to other concomitant treatments. In this setting hyponatremia is often caused by the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion, which is due to the ectopic production of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), to extracellular fluid depletion, to renal toxicity caused by chemotherapy or to other underlying conditions.

Prognostic models to predict survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with first-line chemo- or targeted therapy.

Background: We aimed to assess the prognostic role of neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and to design models to define the prognosis of patients receiving first-line chemo- or targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analysed 401 consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC treated with first line chemo- or targeted therapy. Patients were stratified into two groups with pre-treatment NLR ≥ 3.

Clinical and pathologic predictors of clinical outcome of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Aims And Background: Although worldwide use of asbestos has decreased, the incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is expected to increase over the next few decades. A number of scoring systems has been proposed to assess clinicopathologic features and to predict the prognosis. We assessed the relationship between patients' features and disease evolution in order to choose the best treatment able to prolong overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors: Searching the optimal treatment strategy--A literature review.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the gastro-entero-pancreatic system (GEP-NETs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, with different malignant potential and behavior. Many treatment options are available. Surgery should be considered for localized tumors and in some selected cases of metastatic disease.

Impact of VEGF, VEGFR, PDGFR, HIF and ERCC1 gene polymorphisms on thymic malignancies outcome after thymectomy.

We aimed to analyze genotypes of VEGF-A, VEGFR2, Flt4, PDGFRα, HIF-1α and ERCC1 and their correlation with thymic tumor risk and patient outcome. DNA of 57 consecutive patients (43 thymomas and 14 thymic carcinomas) who underwent total thymectomy at our Institution was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue. We selected polymorphisms in the following genes:HIF1-α (rs2057482T > C, rs1951795A > C, rs2301113C > A, rs10873142C > T, rs11158358G > C, rs12434438G > A, rs11549465C > T, rs11549467G > A), VEGF-A (rs2010963G > C, rs699947A > C), VEGFR-2 (rs2305948C > T, rs1870377T > A), VEGFR-3 (rs307826T > C, rs307821C > A), PDGFR-α (rs35597368C > T) and ERCC1 (rs11615A > G).

Pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio may be a useful tool in predicting survival in early triple negative breast cancer patients.

Background: There is a growing body of evidence that immune response plays a large role in cancer outcome. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been used as a simple parameter of systemic inflammation in several tumors. The purpose was to investigate the association between pre-treatment NLR, disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with early triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Eribulin in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients and clinical/biological feature correlations: impact on the practice.

Aim: This multicenter study describes the effectiveness of eribulin in current practice.

Patients & Methods: In total, 78 patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer, previously treated with two or more chemotherapy lines were enrolled.

Results: The median duration of response and disease stability were 7.

Chromium exposure and germinal embryonal carcinoma: first two cases and review of the literature.

The aim of the study was to determine the potential role of occupational exposures to chromium (Cr) in the onset of extragonadal germinal embryonal carcinoma. The first two cases of workers in a company with Cr exposure are reported. The published scientific literature regarding the topic in peer-reviewed journals including MEDLINE and CancerLit databases was extensively reviewed.

Androgen receptor expression in early triple-negative breast cancer: clinical significance and prognostic associations.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are characterized by aggressive tumour biology resulting in a poor prognosis. Androgen receptor (AR) is one of newly emerging biomarker in TNBC. In recent years, ARs have been demonstrated to play an important role in the genesis and in the development of breast cancer, although their prognostic role is still debated.

Thymic neoplasms: an update on the use of chemotherapy and new targeted therapies. A literature review.

Thymic malignancies represent a wide range of clinical, histological and molecular entities, with probably considerable heterogeneity even among tumors of the same histotype. Systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin-based regimens continues to represent the standard of care in metastatic or inoperable refractory/recurrent diseases and ADOC regimen (including cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide) demonstrated the longer overall response rate and median survival in the first line setting, although no randomized trial is available; and there is still a lack of standard treatment after first-line failure. To date research efforts are focused on translational studies on molecular pathways involved in thymic tumors carcinogenesis, aimed to better understand and predict the efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

Novel small molecule EGFR inhibitors as candidate drugs in non-small cell lung cancer.

In the last decade, better understanding of the role of epidermal growth factor receptor in the pathogenesis and progression of non-small cell lung cancer has led to a revolution in the work-up of these neoplasms. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as erlotinib and gefitinib, have been approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, demonstrating an improvement in progression-free and overall survival, particularly in patients harboring activating EGFR mutations. Nevertheless, despite initial responses and long-lasting remissions, resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors invariably develops, most commonly due to the emergence of secondary T790M mutations or to the amplification of mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met), which inevitably leads to treatment failure.

State of the art for cardiotoxicity due to chemotherapy and to targeted therapies: a literature review.

Cardiotoxicity is a common complication of many anti-cancer agents and it remains a major limitation, strongly impacting the quality of life and the overall survival, regardless of the oncologic prognosis. Cardiotoxicity may occur during or shortly after treatment (within days or weeks), or it may become evident months, and sometimes years, after completion of chemotherapy. Cardiotoxicity associated with cancer therapies can range from asymptomatic subclinical abnormalities, including electrocardiographic changes and temporary left ventricular ejection fraction decline, to life-threatening events such as congestive heart failure or acute coronary syndromes.

Role of maspin in cancer.

Maspin (mammary serine protease inhibitor), is a member of the serine protease inhibitor/non-inhibitor superfamily. Its expression is down-regulated in breast, prostate, gastric and melanoma cancers but over-expressed in pancreatic, gallbladder, colorectal, and thyroid cancers suggesting that maspin may play different activities in different cell types. However, maspin expression seems to be correlated with better prognosis in prostate, bladder, lung, gastric, colorectal, head and neck, thyroid and melanoma cancer.

Metabolic and cardiovascular effects of ghrelin.

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, is synthesized as a preprohormone and then proteolytically processed to yield a 28-amino acid peptide. This peptide was originally reported to induce growth hormone release; large evidence, however, has indicated many other physiological activities of ghrelin, including regulation of food intake and energy balance, as well as of lipid and glucose metabolism. Ghrelin receptors have been detected in the hypothalamus and the pituitary, but also in the cardiovascular system, where ghrelin exerts beneficial hemodynamic activities.

Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of ghrelin.

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide hormone secreted into the systemic circulation predominantly by the X/A-like cells in the mucosa of the stomach. In addiction to central effects on food intake and growth hormone release, ghrelin has also important vascular and metabolic actions. Our laboratory has shown that administration of exogenous ghrelin acutely improves endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and normalizing the alterate balance between endothelin 1/nitric oxide (ET-1/NO) within the vasculature of individuals with metabolic syndrome.