Postoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with poor pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) who respond poorly to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ChT).

Materials And Methods: The database of a tertiary medical center (2009-2020) was retrospectively reviewed for patients with LAGC in whom the initial treatment strategy consisted of perioperative ChT and surgery. Those who were subsequently referred for postoperative CRT because of a poor pathologic primary-tumor response (ypT3-4, ypN2-3, R1 resection) were selected for the study.

Characterization of Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases as a Prognostic Tool.

Background: Unfortunately, the majority of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) experience disease recurrence following hepatic surgery. The key challenge is therefore optimal patient selection, which currently relies on anatomical and clinical parameters. Exploring a potential molecular signature may be predictive for seeing a clinical benefit from CRCLM resection.

Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma After Pancreatectomy.

Objective: To determine whether sarcopenia can potentially predict worse survival after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Sarcopenia is correlated with poor outcomes in hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies, but the relationship of both its qualitative and quantitative features with patient survival after pancreatectomy has not been investigated in a western population.

Patients And Methods: Preoperative cross-sectional computed tomography scans of consecutive patients who underwent pancreatectomy in 2005-2017 were evaluated for skeletal muscle index (SMI), intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), and visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VSR).

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Recurrence Pattern in Patients with Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Background: Studies have suggested that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has value as a predictor of long-term outcomes in various cancer types. Its prognostic potential in patients with CRLM has not been thoroughly investigated. This original, retrospective study assessed the relationship between the preoperative NLR, survival outcomes, and recurrence patterns in patients after colorectal liver metastasis resection (CRLM).

Signet Ring Cell Features are Associated with Poor Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment and Dismal Survival in Patients with High-Grade Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: While the prognosis of patients with locoregional esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has improved in the neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) era, high-grade histology (G3) is still associated with a limited treatment response. We sought to investigate oncologic outcomes in patients after esophagectomy for G3 EAC and to identify predictors of poor survival among these patients.

Methods: Patients with EAC who underwent resection with curative intent in 2011-2018 were divided by histologic grade (G3, G1/2) and compared for overall survival (OS).

Efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma by patient subgroups: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma is inconsistent. Whether the efficacy of ICIs is comparable across different subgroups remains unknown.

Methods: We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared standard treatment for metastatic gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma to ICIs.

Early PET-CT in patients with pathological stage III colon cancer may improve their outcome: Results from a large retrospective study.

Background: Current staging of pathological stage III colon cancer (CC) is suboptimal; many patients recur despite unremarkable preoperative staging. We previously reported that early postoperative PET-CT can alter the stage and management of up to 15% of patients with high-risk stage III CC. This study aimed to determine the role of the test in the general stage III CC population.

Brain metastasis in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and HER2 status.

The increased survival of patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GAD) following improvements in treatment has been accompanied by a rising incidence of secondary brain metastasis. HER2 amplification/overexpression, which has been associated with an increased risk of brain metastasis in breast cancer, is found in about 20% of patients with GAD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HER2 status on brain metastasis in GAD.

Esophageal Cancer in Israel has Unique Clinico-Pathological Features: A Retrospective Study.

Data regarding esophageal cancer (EC) in Israel are limited. The aim of this study was hence to characterize this entity in the Israeli population and to compare it to the literature. This is a retrospective study of all consecutive EC patients treated at our institution between 1997-2013.

[FERTILITY PRESERVATION IN YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS - CAN WE OPTIMIZE THE PATH?].

Introduction: Advances in cancer therapy have improved the long-term survival of cancer patients. Concerns about fertility represent a major issue for young cancer patients. The emergent discipline of oncofertility, an intersection between oncology and fertility, is a new concept that describes an integrated network of clinical resources that focus on fertility preservation from both clinical and research perspectives.

The impact of oxaliplatin on the gonads: from bedside to the bench.

Study Hypothesis: What is the impact of oxaliplatin on gonadal function?

Study Finding: Our results in both the clinical and pre-clinical settings indicate that oxaliplatin exerts moderate transient gonadal toxicity.

What Is Known Already: Recent studies have indicated a significant increase in survivorship of colorectal cancer patients of reproductive age, who may then face fertility concerns. The impact of oxaliplatin on gonadal function is yet to be discovered.

Addition of taxane to induction therapy in head and neck malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Head and neck cancer, mostly squamous cell carcinoma, ranks sixth among the most common cancers. Despite progress in treatment in recent years, survival remains poor. Since induction chemotherapy has been associated with survival benefit, it is a reasonable treatment option.