mutated pancreatic cancer: A change is coming.

Pancreatic cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death with few available therapies for advanced disease. Recently, patients with germline mutations have received increased attention due to advances in the management of mutated ovarian and breast tumors. Germline mutations significantly increase risk of developing pancreatic cancer and can be found in up to 8% of patients with sporadic pancreatic cancer.

Phosphorylated transducer and activator of transcription-3 (pSTAT3) immunohistochemical expression in paired primary and metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3) mediates cellular functions. We assessed the IHC expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in paired primary tumors and liver metastases in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: We included patients with tissue blocks available from both the primary CRC and a surgically resected liver metastasis.

Delving into Early-onset Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: How Does Age Fit In?

Purpose: With the rising incidence of early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC), molecular characteristics that distinguish early-onset pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors from those arising at a later age are not well understood.

Experimental Design: We performed bioinformatic analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data generated from 269 advanced (metastatic or locally advanced) and 277 resectable PDAC tumor samples. Patient samples were stratified into EOPC (age of onset ≤55 years; = 117), intermediate (age of onset 55-70 years; = 264), and average (age of onset ≥70 years; = 165) groups.

ctDNA applications and integration in colorectal cancer: an NCI Colon and Rectal-Anal Task Forces whitepaper.

An increasing number of studies are describing potential uses of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in the care of patients with colorectal cancer. Owing to this rapidly developing area of research, the Colon and Rectal-Anal Task Forces of the United States National Cancer Institute convened a panel of multidisciplinary experts to summarize current data on the utility of ctDNA in the management of colorectal cancer and to provide guidance in promoting the efficient development and integration of this technology into clinical care. The panel focused on four key areas in which ctDNA has the potential to change clinical practice, including the detection of minimal residual disease, the management of patients with rectal cancer, monitoring responses to therapy, and tracking clonal dynamics in response to targeted therapies and other systemic treatments.

Adenosine 2A Receptor Blockade as an Immunotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Renal Cell Cancer.

Adenosine mediates immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment through triggering adenosine 2A receptors (A2AR) on immune cells. To determine whether this pathway could be targeted as an immunotherapy, we performed a phase I clinical trial with a small-molecule A2AR antagonist. We find that this molecule can safely block adenosine signaling .

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as predictive and prognostic markers in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Background: A standard therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) includes fluoropyrimidine (FP)-based neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). Previous studies have inconsistently demonstrated that baseline neutrophil- and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR and PLR) are predictive of response to nCRT or prognostic of outcomes in LARC.

Methods: We reviewed patients with LARC undergoing nCRT followed by surgery from 2005 to 2013 across 8 Canadian cancer centres.

Evaluation of NeuroPage as a memory aid for people with multiple sclerosis: A randomised controlled trial.

Memory problems are reported in 40%-60% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). These problems affect independence and may limit the ability to benefit from rehabilitation. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of NeuroPage for people with MS living in the community.

Impact of Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy Following Long-course Chemoradiotherapy in Stage II Rectal Cancer.

Objectives: Use of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) following neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) is controversial in rectal cancer (RC). We assessed a multi-institutional database to determine if there was benefit from AC for pathologic stage II RC patients and whether the addition of oxaliplatin to fluoropyrimidine (OXAC) therapy impacted outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We included patients who underwent nCRT and had pathologic stage II (ypT3/4 ypN0) tumors.

Dysexecutive symptoms and carer strain following acquired brain injury: Changes measured before and after holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation.

Background: Following acquired brain injury (ABI), deficits in executive functioning (EF) are common. As a result many brain-injured patients encounter problems in every-day functioning, and their families experience significant strain. Previous research has documented the benefits of cognitive rehabilitation for executive dysfunction, and rehabilitation programmes designed to ameliorate functional problems associated with ABI.

Prognostic and predictive effects of diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease among women on extended adjuvant letrozole: NCIC CTG MA.17.

Background: Women with breast cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM) have poorer survival. Mechanisms include insulin dysregulation and/or DM related co-morbidities (CM). In MA.

Management of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor-Induced Hypomagnesemia: A Systematic Review.

Background: Despite occurring in 30% of patients, there are no evidence-based guidelines on the management of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI)-induced hypomagnesemia. Based on expert opinion, severe hypomagnesemia should be treated by intravenous magnesium replacement. A systematic review of published data of intervention on EGFRI-induced hypomagnesemia was performed.

Clinical and toxicity predictors of response and progression to temsirolimus in women with recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer.

Objective: Temsirolimus (TEM) has recently shown activity (NCIC CTG phase II trial) in endometrial cancer (EC). Despite EC having a high rate of PTEN mutation, in this trial activity was independent of PTEN and other molecular markers. We explored whether treatment related toxicity occurring in cycle one was predictive of outcomes.

Overview of systemic therapy for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and second leading cause of death from cancer in North America. The authors provide an overview of the indications for both chemotherapy and targeted therapy, as well as discuss the efficacy and toxicity of systemic therapy. They highlight the key studies that lead to the initial historical use of fluorouracil (5FU) based chemotherapy in the adjuvant and metastatic setting, the recent adoption of 5FU plus leucovorin (LV) and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) chemotherapy over 5FU when treating adjuvant patients, and the use of FOLFOX or 5FU plus LV and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) in metastatic patients.