Pembrolizumab: An Immunotherapeutic Agent Causing Endocrinopathies.

Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (programmed cell death 1) approved for use in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Pembrolizumab has shown remarkable results in regression of the size of tumors in NSCLC and has shown survival advantage. However, immune-related adverse effects are a serious negative outcome of therapy.

Anthracycline or trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity: do we have a predictive biomarker?

Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, is a well-known and potentially serious complication strongly impacting the quality of life and overall survival of breast cancer patients. The current diagnostic approach to detect cardiac damage is the estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiography. However, this approach exhibits less sensitivity toward early prediction of cardiomyopathy, not allowing for preventive strategies.

Recurrence and survival among breast cancer patients achieving a pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients who achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, including chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab (NAT) have better outcomes than patients with residual disease. Despite the excellent prognosis associated with achieving a pCR, tumors still recur. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with tumor recurrence and survival among patients achieving pCR after NAT.